Khamenei blames Iran unrest on ‘enemies’ out to overthrow Islamic Republic

Iranian Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks throughout a gathering by way of video convention with folks from East Azarbaijan in Tehran, Iran, February 17, 2022. Workplace of the Iranian Supreme Chief/WANA (West Asia Information Company)/Handout by way of REUTERS

June 4 (Reuters) – Iranian Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday blamed current protests in Iran on overseas “enemies” in search of to overthrow the Islamic Republic.

He additionally mentioned the USA and its allies had been waging a “psychological struggle” towards Iran by accusing it of piracy for seizing two Greek ships after the USA confiscated Iranian oil from a tanker. learn extra

“At this time, the enemies’ most essential hope for placing a blow on the nation is predicated on common protests,” Khamenei mentioned, referring to week-long protests over the collapse of a constructing in southwestern Iran final month that killed 37 folks.

“They hope to show the folks towards the Islamic institution and the Islamic Republic by psychological work, actions on the web and our on-line world … and by spending cash and recruiting mercenaries.”

“However the enemies’ calculation is as flawed as many earlier ones,” he mentioned in a televised speech on the thirty third anniversary of the dying of the chief of Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Authorities have blamed the collapse of the 10-storey residential and business constructing in Abadan on native corruption and lax security and say 13 folks, together with mayors and different officers, have thus far been arrested for development violations. learn extra

Protesters, nevertheless, say the catastrophe stemmed from authorities negligence and entrenched graft and have chanted slogans towards officers, together with Khamenei.

Iranians have reported disrupted web providers, an obvious try to cease using social media to organise rallies and disseminate movies. Authorities have warned folks to comply with simply official media and eschew “rumours” from social media.

The US, which has imposed powerful sanctions on Iran, confiscated the Iranian oil cargo on the Iranian-flagged Pegas that Greece impounded off its coast in April. Tehran retaliated by seizing two Greek ships on Could 27. learn extra

But the world’s media accuses Iran of piracy, Khamenei mentioned. “Who’s the pirate right here? You stole our oil. We took it again from you. Taking again a stolen good is not any theft.”

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Enhancing by Frances Kerry and Mark Potter

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