Dubai – Masaader News
At least 12 people have been killed in Iran protests, since the protests against fuel price rises, according to BBC.
The protests erupted on Friday after the government announced the price of petrol would be increased by 50% to 15,000 rials ($0.12; £0.09 at the unofficial market exchange rate) a litre and that drivers would be allowed to purchase only 60 litres each month before the price rose to 30,000 rials.
President Hassan Rouhani said the government was acting in the public interest, and that the money raised would be distributed to the country’s neediest citizens.
However, the decision was met with widespread anger in a country where the economy is already reeling as a result of US sanctions that have caused oil exports to collapse and the value of the rial to plummet, and sent the inflation rate soaring.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that “the United States is with you”, while the White House said it condemned the lethal force and severe communications restrictions used against demonstrators.