Tehran – Anti-government protests are continuing in several Iranian cities despite a nationwide internet blackout that has also affected international phone communications.
According to the Norway-based organization Iran Human Rights, at least 45 people have been killed since the demonstrations began on December 28, sparked by Iran’s economic crisis, which has been exacerbated in part by U.S. sanctions.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday criticized the demonstrators, accusing them of “ruining their own streets” in order to please U.S. President Donald Trump.
“The Islamic Republic was established with the blood of several hundred thousand honorable people, and it will not back down in the face of those who engage in destruction, nor will it tolerate mercenaries serving foreign powers,” Khamenei said.
Human rights organizations say that the internet shutdown has severely restricted access to information and hampered communication among protesters and activists, while authorities continue attempts to quell the unrest.
