'Death to Dictator!' Big Shift in Iran as Thousands Protest Islamic Regime, Currency Collapses
As thousands of Iranians take part in a second day of protests against the Islamic regime, government officials sought to accuse the United States instead of Iran's economic woes.
In a televised speech Monday night, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani blamed Washington of waging economic warfare against the country.
"As always, America wants to break apart the power, glory of the Islamic Republic of Iran and grandeur of the system and the nation with a new method," Rouhani claimed, as he sought to reassure Iranians growing angry by the day over the regime's handling of the economy.
"The US cannot defeat our nation, our enemies are not able to get us to their knees," Rouhani said, adding that Washington was waging a "psychological, economic and political war" on Iran.
Iran's currency, the rial, has plummetted in recent days against the US dollar prompting thousands of Iranians to protest in front of Parliament and on the streets of Tehran.
Dramatic videos posted on social media showed hundreds of people confronting police in riot gear as traders at Tehran's famed Grand Bazaar shut down their shops in protest.
#IranProtests update from Tehran: Iran regime fires teargas as thousands of protesters march toward Parliament with chants of "Leave Syria alone. Think of us instead" & "Death to the dictator". The world can support them in the diaspora's June 30 #FreeIran2018 convention in Paris pic.twitter.com/SGOE5e20ck
— M. Hanif Jazayeri (@HanifJazayeri) June 25, 2018
"This protest in Iran is significant," said Dr. Mike Ansari, head of Mohabat TV. "It is the traders of Tehran's Grand Bazaar that have taken to the streets protesting the rising prices and the plummeting value of Iran's currency."
Ansari, who runs a 24-hour Christian satellite network that beams gospel programs into Iran, said traders at the sprawling Grand Bazaar have historically played a significant role in the political affairs of the Islamic republic.
"Remember, it was this group of traders who were extremely influential in Iranian politics in 1979 when they economically backed the uprising, the revolution against the Shah, and brought Ayatollah Khoemeni to power," Ansari noted.
Iranians chanting "Death to Israel" and "Death to America" are a common occurrence. Monday's protests were different.
Video uploaded to YouTube showed thousands of angry protesters chanting, "Death to Palestine" and "Death to Syria," an apparent reference to Iran's military engagement in Syria and funding of the terror group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
"Most Iranian families are facing grave economic hardship," Ansari said. "The prices of milk, eggs, meat, bread have skyrocketed, yet Iranian people are witnessing their government investing millions of dollars in expensive regional disputes in Iraq, Syria, Yemen to increase its regional influence, while {Iranian people} go hungry," Ansari added.
Other videos making rounds on social media appear to show the protestors also chanting, "Death to Dictator."
#BREAKING: Protesters chanting "Death to the Dictator" in Iran capital. Today's #IranProtests in Tehran's Bazaar has spilled onto the streets. Ppl are angry over regime's economic policies. The diaspora's June 30 #FreeIran2018 convention in Paris will echo the call for democracy. pic.twitter.com/ScKHojfyuW
— M. Hanif Jazayeri (@HanifJazayeri) June 25, 2018
Rouhani told Iranians the government can withstand a new round of US sanctions following President Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
"Even in the worst case, I promise that the basic needs of Iranians will be provided," Rouhani claimed. "We have enough sugar, wheat, and cooking oil. We have enough foreign currency to inject into the market."
Yet, hours after making that promise, thousands were back on the streets of Tehran for a second day as frustration grows over the country's worsening economic woes.
Late Tuesday, Israel's prime minister took to social media to address the protests in Iran. Writing on Facebook, Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Iran has many problems – air pollution, water scarcity, billions wasted on terror."
"Can you imagine what would happen if the Iranian government, instead of wasting money in Syria, in Yemen and unnecessary wars in the Middle East, would start investing it in solving these problems in Iran?" Netanyahu asked. "The solution to all these problems is the Iranian people."
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