“Some people are no doubt worried by this decision … but sabotage and arson is done by hooligans not our people,” the Iranian Supreme Leader said in a live speech on state TV.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, May 14, 2019 (photo credit: KHAMENEI.IR)
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, May 14, 2019 (photo credit: KHAMENEI.IR)

 

DUBAI – Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday backed the gasoline price rises that have caused nationwide protests, which he blamed on the Islamic Republic’s opponents and foreign foes.

“Some people are no doubt worried by this decision … but sabotage and arson is done by hooligans not our people,” the Iranian Supreme Leader said in a live speech on state TV.Riot police and security forces clashed with demonstrators in Tehran and dozens of other cities on Saturday, Iranian news agencies and social media said, a day after the government increased the price of gasoline.

“The counter-revolution and Iran’s enemies have always supported sabotage and breaches of security and continue to do so,” Khamenei said. “Unfortunately some problems were caused, a number of people lost their lives and some centers were destroyed.”

The United States condemned the use of “lethal force” and “severe communications restrictions” against demonstrators in Iran, the White House said.

“The United States supports the Iranian people in their peaceful protests against the regime that is supposed to lead them,” the White House said in a statement. “We condemn the lethal force and severe communications restrictions used against demonstrators.”

Khamenei, who has the last say on all state matters, called on officials to prevent hikes in prices of other goods.

As reported by The Jerusalem Post