ISLAMABAD: Iranians from all walks of life have begun nationwide rallies to denounce recent foreign-backed riots, demonstrating their support for the Islamic Republic, state-run Press TV reported on Monday.
The rallies in most provinces, including Tehran, will begin on Monday at 2 p.m. local time.
However, some other provinces have started the rallies at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
‘Proof of unity ‘
Several officials described the nationwide demonstrations as “proof of unity”, which secures the nation’s resilience.
While stating that some shopkeepers last week staged limited street protests in several Iranian cities over economic instability, the state media report said that the demonstrations were steered toward violence after public statements by US and Israeli figures, amplified by Israeli-linked Persian-language outlets, encouraged vandalism and disorder.
The report said that the authorities have acknowledged the legitimacy of peaceful economic grievances and vowed to address them.
‘Will not back down against vandals’
The report blamed “foreign-backed elements” for exploiting concerns over rising living costs and the depreciation of the national currency, which it said is directly linked to unilateral US sanctions targeting Iran’s central bank and oil exports.
The Iranian authorities have declared that perpetrators of the latest unrest are “backed by the United States and the Israeli regime”.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly voiced support for protesters and warned Washington could attack Iran if what he called “peaceful protesters” were harmed, while former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has issued statements alluding to Mossad involvement and separatist plots, Press TV reported.
The rallies came as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed on Friday that the state “will not back down against vandals,” urging unity and reiterating that a united nation can overcome any enemy.
‘Legitimate targets’
Tehran Governor Mohammad-Sadegh Motamedian insisted in televised comments that “the number of protests is decreasing”, AFP reported.
The Iranian government on Sunday declared three days of national mourning for “martyrs” including members of the security forces killed.
President Masoud Pezeshkian also urged Iranians to join a “national resistance march” Monday to denounce the violence.
In response to Trump's repeated threats to intervene, Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran would hit back, calling US military and shipping “legitimate targets” in comments broadcast by state TV.
