Iran protests escalate as public anger against leaders grows

 
Protests in Iran continue to escalate as the country struggles to control public anger over the Iranian military’s shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger plane carrying 176 people.
Police used tear gas to disperse hundreds of demonstrators chanting against the country’s leaders – including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – on the second day of protests in Tehran, with rallies spreading to other Iranian cities.
The nation’s police chief denied officers fired at protesters and said they had been ordered to show restraint.
Videos posted online appear to show blood-soaked pavements and protesters shouting anti-government slogans as chaos ensued on the streets of the capital.
Another clip circulating on social media purports to show a woman in pain after being shot in the leg.
Riot police in black uniforms and helmets earlier massed in Vali e Asr Square, at Tehran University and other landmarks.
That prompted US president Donald Trump, who has previously supported anti-government demonstrations in Iran, to tweet: “To the leaders of Iran – DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS.”
He later tweeted: “National Security Adviser suggested today that sanctions & protests have Iran ‘choked off’, will force them to negotiate. Actually, I couldn’t care less if they negotiate. Will be totally up to them but, no nuclear weapons and ‘don’t kill your protesters’.”
Hossein Rahimi, head of the Tehran police said: “At protests, police absolutely did not shoot because the capital’s police officers have been given orders to show restraint.”
Revolutionary Guard members patrolled on motorbikes while plainclothes security men were also out in force.
A British flag was set on fire by hardline militia members as they summoned the UK ambassador outside the British embassy in Tehran.
Members of Iran’s Basij militia, which is affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, gathered outside the embassy, demanding it be closed, according to state media.
The British ambassador to Iran, Rob Macaire, earlier denied taking part in anti-government demonstrations after he was held by Iranian authorities during protests over the fatal plane crash.
“Can confirm I wasn’t taking part in any demonstrations!” he tweeted. “Went to an event advertised as a vigil for victims of #PS752 tragedy. Normal to want to pay respects – some of victims were British. I left after 5 mins, when some started chanting.”
He said he was arrested half an hour after leaving the area.
The crash on Wednesday killed everyone on board, mostly Iranians and Iranian-Canadians.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it has been gut-wrenching to listen to stories from relatives of 57 Canadians who perished in the crash.
He added: “We will not rest until there are answers. We will not rest until there is justice and accountability.”
Members of Canada’s standing rapid deployment team arrived in Iran on Saturday to establish a base of operations for the Canadian government in the wake of the crash.
Source: Sky News