***
Click to see full-size image
Protests and riots took place throughout Iran, as a result of a hike on gas prices on the evening of November 15th.
An estimated 87,000 people took part in the demonstrations, the semi-official Fars news agency reported, and at least two people were killed. Dozens of banks, stores and gas stations were set on fire or damaged by rioters and about 1,000 arrests were made.
The state-run IRNA news agency reported:
“Protesters tried to set fire to the oil depot, but they were stopped by police.” It did not elaborate, but online videos circulating on Iranian social media purported to show a fire at the depot as sirens wailed in the background. Another showed a large crowd shouting: “Rouhani, shame on you. Leave the country alone.”
Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, was cited as saying:
“Security forces have so far shown restraint and have tolerated the protests. But as the calm and security of people is our priority, they will fulfil their duty to restore calm if attacks on public and individuals’ properties continue.”
The decision that caused anger was an introduction of a rationing scheme and slashing of subsidies, implemented on November 15th. On the next day fuel prices went up by at least 50%, which sparked the protests.
The plan was agreed by the Supreme Council of Economic Coordination, which is made up of President Hassan Rouhani, judiciary chief Ebrahim Raeisi and Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani.
The body decided that vehicles for private use would be restricted to 60 litres (16gal) of fuel monthly, while the price of petrol would jump 50% to 15,000 Iranian rials ($0.13) per liter.
Any fuel purchases in excess of allotted rations will incur an additional charge of 30,000 rials ($0.26) per liter.
The rise is intended to raise about $2.5 billion a year for additional subsidies for 18 million families, or about 60 million Iranians on lower incomes, the government said. The proposal had been recommended by the International Monetary Fund as a way of ending inefficient petrol subsidies and rebalancing government spending.
The Head of the Judiciary Ebrahim Raeisi on November 18th said that that public opinion and the elite should have been provided with explanation about necessary plan for fuel consumption management and that the people are separate from the rioters.
He admitted that the plan was suddenly implemented, he said that the worries of the people are due to the fact that the public opinion was not prepared in advance.
He said that “destroying public and private property, setting fires, hurting people’s tranquility, frightening women and children, done with any intentions, will be severely punished.”
On November 17th, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei supported the increase in fuel prices. In an address on television he said that “some lost their lives and some places were destroyed.”
He called the rioters “thugs” who had been pushed into violence by counterrevolutionaries and foreign enemies of Iran.
“Setting a bank on fire is not an act done by the people. This is what thugs do,” Khamenei said.
Khamenei ordered security forces “to implement their tasks” and for Iran’s citizens to keep clear of violent demonstrators. Iran’s Intelligence Ministry said the “key perpetrators of the past two days’ riot have been identified and proper action is ongoing.”
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned that “anarchy and rioting” would not be tolerated.
“People have the right to protest, but that is different from riots,” he was cited. “We cannot let insecurity in the country through riots.”
Government spokesman Ali Rabiei said that people have stayed away from rioters intending to create an atmosphere in which the voice of protesters could not be heard.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi condemned US Foreign Secretary Mike Pompeo’s backing for a group of rioters in certain Iranian cities, saying that actions by a number of saboteurs have nothing to do with the nature of the Iranian intelligent and foresighted people.
As I said to the people of Iran almost a year and a half ago: The United States is with you. https://t.co/D972wPyLxm
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 16, 2019
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also warned of “decisive” actions if unrest doesn’t cease.
“If necessary we will take decisive and revolutionary action against any continued moves to disturb the people’s peace and security,” the statement by the IRGC said.
Iranian internet access saw disruptions and outages on the evening of November 15th and 16th., according to the group NetBlocks, which monitors worldwide internet access. By the night of November 16th, connectivity had fallen to just 7% of ordinary levels.
Update: It has now been 24 hours since #Iran implemented a near-total internet shutdown following hours of partial blackouts amid widespread protests.
The ongoing disruption constitutes a severe violation of the basic rights and liberties of Iranians⏱
?https://t.co/1Al0DT8an1 pic.twitter.com/i7sudrB3I4
— NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) November 17, 2019
Click to see full-size image
Click to see full-size image
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
It should be easy for the Iranian government to secure the petrol pumps. Last time I was there, a couple of months ago, they were nigh impossible to find. Banks on the other hand, not as much, as basically every 4th building in the country seems to be a bank.
Unfortunately for them they have low quality oil, same as Venezuela, they lack technology to process it
Russia is helping to improve that situation.
Yes the Koch brothers loved processing Venezuelan “dirty oil” and are a little upset at sanctions which cost them money. Of course one died recently and the other won’t be far behind not that that will change anything. I think Iran does do some refining but maybe not for vehicle usage, They export too refineries and in hindsight probably wish they had made their own refinery but as Luke says , Russia is helping them build something now.
That is why China is investing 250 Billions in 25 years in Iran for oil and gas infrastructure, roads, highways and rail systems. Russia is helping as well.
Iranian security forces have already killed hundreds of unarmed Iranian protesters. Protesters are starting to fight back. That’s how civil war begins. The world must stand with the brave Iranian protesters.
A: Evidence?
B: We have seen what happens when you stand with ‘brave protesters’. Countries get thrown into chaos, civil wars erupt, Islamic extremism emerges, thousands die. Even if they did kill hundreds, which I found doubtful based on past repressions, hundreds dead and stability is still preferable to thousands dead and chaos. If Assad had been more ruthless and immediately quashed the Arab spring demonstrations thousands would have died, but hundreds of thousands that died in the civil war would now have been alive.
The world should learn to mind its own business. Especially since it was the world which is causing these price increases thanks to US sanctions and US pressure on its vassals to comply with US sanctions. What have the Europeans done to help Iran overcome the effects of these sanctions in exchange for complying with the nuclear agreement? Fuck all! So those who caused it should definitely not be the ones who ‘come riding to the rescue’.
The point is that Assad is ruthless and very calculated ( opposite from Erdogan who is also ruthless but also erratical ) that caused the civil war. And after warts he is still ruthless because otherwise there would have been peace by now, but then he has to give in on free elections and he does not want it despite it is killing thousands.
Assad’s father was ruthless, as he sent in his Republican Guard to flatten Hama after the Muslim Brotherhood there took over. And Syria remained quiet afterwards for decades. Assad himself is a pussy compared to his father, which is why the Arab Spring was able to keep going and spiraled out of control into a civil war, one that was fueled by the West, Turkey and the Gulf States funneling in money and billions worth of advanced weapons to the ‘socalled rebels’. Without that support and Assad acting more ruthless from the start there wouldn’t be a civil war and hundreds of thousands of lives would have been spared and millions of refugees wouldn’t have had to flee. It’s nasty, brutal, but still preferable to endless war.
Churchill once said that democracy is a terrible way to rule a country, but that all the alternatives were even worse. In the Arab world dictators are a terrible way to rule a country, but all the alternatives are even worse. Egypt got rid of Mubarak, elected a Muslim Brotherhood president who then proceeded to implement Islamist policies and marginalize the Christian minorities. Until the army overthrow him after waves of public protest. Democracy in the West kinda works because people are willing to play by the rules. And the rules say that when you lose an election you give up power and that the minority enjoys protection against majority rule. In the Arab world, and most other 3rd world countries too they don’t abide by these rules. Losers find it hard to abide by the results of an election and winners view a win as to the victor belongs the spoils, so the minority has to endure majority tyranny. I’d rather have a secular dictator like Assad, who only wants to line his pockets but who lets me live privately the way I want too, then tyranny of the majority as they elect Islamists who then proceed to control every aspect of my life with religious rules.
Baloney. Assad will win the 2021 election. You heard it here. The mass majority of the population align with the government on law and order and a refusal to give in to the cynical U.S. led game of regime change by way of hijacking the movement for reform. And Assad is the President, not the entire Syrian state, which decided together on the strategy to overcome the rebellion. Bashar al-Assad offered the ruling council his resignation in 2013 and it was refused, emphatically. Ruthless? Laugh. His own soldiers will settle for nothing less than control of the streets and safety for their families. Go spread Western talking points and Langley definitions for resistance to Empire to people who’d like to drink the kool aid with you. I’ll pass, and so will a majority of Syria’s electorate.
How is Assad ruthless?
A. Does Amnesty’s reporting on the fatalities satisfy you? B. Do you justify a massacre carried out by a totalitarian regime against unarmed protesters? If the New York Police Department had slaughtered unarmed protesters, would you back it up too?
Meh, your style of propaganda is so outdated … borring.
These are facts you are trying to deny.
What facts, just a cluster of blurred generalized bs that is repeated by the likes of you everytime you wish “freedom”and “democracy” on other countries like, Iraq, Lybia and many others before
Alex Why are you afraid to admit that the mullahs are slaughtering unarmed protesters? Of course only Iranians have to choose their leaders and I oppose any external military intervention. But why is it not allowed to identify and support the legitimate demands of unarmed protesters?
eh unarmed ? What’s with those petrol bombs then ?
Do you have one video of protesters throwing Molotov bottles at security forces?
https://www.france24.com/en/20191119-three-iranian-security-forces-personnel-killed-by-rioters There are plenty of videos online showing burning stuff due to protests and i am pretty sure that the fires haven’t been started by the security forces.
Amnesty is just a political tool that western countries use to defend their interference in other’s countries
A: Amnesty has lost a lot of credibility AFAIC with the refugee crisis in Europe. They are not without agendas of their own.
B: We only have 2nd hand reports being filtered out and used to push a narrative by the same people who said the same things about Assad and Khadaffi to push for regime change. Also some context might be in order. Were these protesters peaceful or were they engaging in violence of their own? Because security forces firing on violent protesters or looters is a different narrative then security forces firing on peaceful protesters. C: How accurate are these reports? Can the claims of X dead be independently verified?
D: Most importantly, even if it were true, what business is it of ours? Haven’t we learned by now, after the disastrous interventions in Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria that while bad regimes are bad, Western interventions only make things worse? And what are sanctions going to accomplish? Because Iran is already under a sanctions regime. Hell, this happened BECAUSE they were under a sanctions regime. Double hell, this was the intention of why the US placed Iran under sanctions. So the population would rise up and start protesting and if possible overthrow the regime.
Just as planned in Washington.
No, the world must stand with Iranian legitimate government!
“legitimate government” – this is a totalitarian jihadist regime. A regime based on fear and terror that has been oppressing its people for 40 years.
You know any Iranians in Iran?
Most of my older relatives were born in Iran, the rest in Russia.
Iran just fell into the IMF’s trap. Why listen to the IMF, a Rothschild’s body, responsible of much of the unrest in the world. In Greece they followed the “imf” recommendations look at what happened to them. Never listen to what the IMF says, it is literally israel’s financiers that control the IMF. They just set iran into a trap!
good point
Go away Israeli troll.
It is what IMF did in Russia in the 90s too. It was only after Primakov recommended that they stop co-operating with IMF that Russian economy started to recover! For the world bankster cartel it is a tried and tested method.
Russia, Greece, equator, Panama, Venuzuela, Argentina, Brazil, you name it, everyone that needed to be “recalibrated” for NWO agenda suffered of “bad recommendations” from the IMF.
BREAKING NEWS: Iranian Democracy Protesters have captured several police stations and IRGC headquarter buildings! Weapons and ammo have been captured by hundreds of protesters! Iranians taking up arms in their fight for freedom
BREAKING NEWS !!! Jacob Wohl makes up stories and blows it out of his arse as FAKE NEWS….. what’s that ? … oh ,,, ooh ,,,, Sorry !! everyone already knows that so NOT Breaking News. Why don’t you do something useful .. like turn on the water taps to Gaza so the people can drink instead of watering your lawns so they look nice and green. You steal their water and make them survive on captured rainwater. What a hero..
You are an idiot. What psychiatric institution in Occupied Palestine did you escape from chimp-brain?
Breaking news you stupid Israeli’s shit your pants at the sound of fire works, your face is pathetic.
He should listen to what you say.
But Jacob will never learn.
They aren’t protesting democracy but hike in gas prices what planet are you on.
Leave already. 5 downvotes.
One day Democracy and Freedom will prevail in Iran, and the people will take back their government and topple the mullah regime. One day Iran and Israel/USA will become great friends and close allies! It will happen. guaranteed!
The pedophile is back, killing and raping children is the only talent Israeli sewer rats have. Such an intimidating picture there jacky, to a toddler you little fagot.
Oh little jacky you are on vote down tear, you go get em my main Israeli sewer rat. Because in the end you and your roommates have nothing to say here.
Democracy : a system ruled by ZioNazis. Keep your democracy. Mankind is keeping its soul. And go away paid zioNazi troll
Why the Iranian government would do this just as they economy is starting to recover I don’t know? I would have waited a year then I would have done slow increments over a time. As for rationing? Why? For an oil producing country that seems strange doesn’t it? I know that Iran has limited refining capacity but Russia is helping iran building more refining facilities to increase its capacity.
Down voted by fake ass jews no doubt lol
Recovering? You are brainwashed and blind? Why for allahs- sake would those zealots double the petrol price ? To bully the people? Why are there that much poor people in this 50year ruled Islamic heaven with a lot of oil? Because recovering economics? This religious tyranny is an non functional anachronism ruled by discrimination, patriarchalism and oppression, in fact it is only cruel intolerance to everything and everybody.
gas much too cheap, so every idiot uses car daily…
We are not all like Greta Thunderburg who can put her leg out and get a free electric car ride whenever she wants. Or for international travel a free yacht trip across the ocean that saved her carbon footprint but cost much more when several crew had to be flown to bring the yacht , which only went there to take her , back. Not able to use horses anymore as there would be so much horse shit on the roads no one would be able to wade through. Perhaps someone can invent hover shoes so we can all travel quickly to where one needs to go. I do have an electric vehicle along with two ICE SUV’s but the environmental damage producing then disposing of those batteries is much worse than an ICE vehicle. Also where I am petrol is NOT cheap. So your answer to fix the situation is … ??for an idiot , talk is cheap
“Decisive” Action – Iranian security forces have already killed hundreds of protesters. Are they planning to kill thousands of their citizens?
Nothing’s gonna happen. We’ve seen worst before.
The Iranian revolution has begun! I saw 4 EXTREMELY violent LEAKED videos last night from Iran! The revolution in Iran makes Hong Kong Riots look like Kindergarten play! You people on this site should support this! Iran has a lot of gas! They have the biggest Gas field in the world! it was the one thing that enabled the people to struggle through life but its been taken away! Many of u dont understand the wealth at the top in Iran! There is extreme wealth there! This is a good thing! When small people revolt against a self enriched religious and political system that demands certain people to be stoned, face covered, hung in the streets etc etc! Then the people should rise up! People come before military! Always! Even if it means to make peace with your enemies and become rich like Saudi Arabia! U do this for ur people, not for pride! The people are your country, nit your own personal pride! Pride comes from raising a good family! How u can u have such pride when u cant even feed them, clothe them, house or send them to school! The situation in Iran is very very very bad! Much worse than u know! We should support this uprising! This is a very wealthy nation and their people should not starve! Fuck their religion, fuck their pride! this is about living and dying! REVOLUTION!!!!!!
I will disagree with you and kindly tell you to mind your own business.
America has enough problems with treasonous democrats right now.
You surely understand the forces at play, let iran sort out its own mess, we have done enough to them.
Quit pandering the israeli talking points dude, your smarter than that!
im anti israel dude! Totally! Agree on Democrats! What u dont understand is that Iran is controlled by Britain (BP) Revolution is GOOD when u have been surpressed for many many decades! They are a rich nation dude and others are stealing their resources! Let them choose their future! (and they are) if the majority of the people choose to revolt, then let the little people revolt! Viva la little people!
Revolution is definitely a bad idea.
What u dont understand is that Iran is controlled by Britain (BP) Revolution is GOOD when u have been surpressed for many many decades! They are a rich nation dude and others are stealing their resources! Let them choose their future! (and they are) if the majority of the people choose to revolt, then let the little people revolt! Viva la little people!
No, revolution is very bad always! Revolutions are super-easy to manipulate from the outside. Little people will die and suffer – always! If you are for little people speak against marxism and revolutions! It is the only way.
OK so better to stay living under a religious ideology, tyranny, corrupt pols (like in ukraine), etc etc! People do die in revolutions but many of them work! i guess u dont support any of the protests then? u dont support French Yellow vests?
i dont like what u are saying because here u are on a website where people complain daily about “the powers that be”! Tell me how the little people fight back?
What are ur thoughts on the quote “Better to die on your feet than to live on your knees”?
OR, should we just suck it up and keep letting them get away with it!
i think your comment is naive! Revolutions can be grass roots and the powers that be will ALWAYS try to Hi-jack it! However, when u have nothing to lose but more to gain, you go for it!
When THE MOST GAS RICH NATION hikes up gas prices on a population that already is under extreme financial distress, then those powers must be taken down! It doesnt matter what the beliefs, the greater goal! All the people want is to stay alive and feed their families! When u can do that, then you REVOLT! Because if u steal, u are punished with limbs being chopped off!
Sometimes revolutions are BETTER than the other option! People die from poverty too!
Why is this so hard for u to understand? did u know there are 20 revolutions occurring in the world right now?
its a good thing! Everything is corrupt! The UN is corrupt, Vatican, Royal family, EVERYTHING!
Grow some fucking balls!
Yellow Vests are not revolutionaries. Revolutions are marxist in concept and they are really stupid. Violent protests are also stupid. Iran has been on CIA hit list for decades, revolution against their own government would be the height of stupidity. Revolutions are almost always organised from the outside. It’s harmful for all the little people and puts globalist marxists in power. No thanks. Ukraine is been taken to the cleaners because of their “revolution”. What a joke. Russian rev was no better. The whole revolution jibe is an ffing joke.
Revolution: a forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favour of a new system.
i think u are niave and full of shit! Revolution is the call of the day when u stone people to death, cover women in all black garb and hang gays in public! Now they are starving! And u say (No, revolution is bad! ITS ALREADY BAD U DUMB CUNT! Yellow vests came close! They also got the pay increase they wanted! And demanded their leader to step down whilst violently clashing with police and burning shit!
it was almost at the level with Kiev except for live rounds being fired!
So dont bullshit me with technicalitIes! All revolutions begin with protests which escalate AND U FUCKING KNOW THIS!
Was the War for independence in the USA fake? Controlled by outside influence?
Youre talking shit! i know they try to hi-jack and use revolutions, but Iran isnt about ideologies, its about gas price hikes and people not being able to afford to live! How the fuck can they change this? They cant vote Kamenei out!
Take a seat sunshine! The people have no guns, no food (in some cases), corruption is rampant (in Iran)! And u want them to take a peaceful route!
Nobody in their right mind wants to die, but when its possible to die by living on the streets and begging for food, what options are there?
goingbrokes says : Revolutions are bad!
Yet before Revolutions even entered the minds of most Iranians, this was happening: https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/89c0900bb3aa58e724785d98731d51a26b696297ebe84c851aa9c17a6f84e02b.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8fafa342eaef0ebd6628a63b20d803cfebf7ded4d7e8e6ac0121c24c3bd178c1.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c18a37d494d407d38df9b22d4de19b3ea4fe2a93290e40dc1d2d555865d5e99c.jpg
And now people are starving, families are losing their homes and unemployment is at extreme levels!
goingbrokes, your comments are so stupid and illogical they would be dangers if u had any power or influence! WHAT FUCKING CHOICE DO THEY HAVE!
Free Iran! Free Hong Kong Viva La France! And fuck goingbrokes naivety!
These are the videos Iran’s leadership is blocking from the internet! https://s3.amazonaws.com/quodverum/media_attachments/files/000/501/439/original/75c0409fd0729f59.mp4 https://s3.amazonaws.com/quodverum/media_attachments/files/000/501/425/original/c1525f8196c43ede.mp4 https://s3.amazonaws.com/quodverum/media_attachments/files/000/501/431/original/407f289842d97d85.mp4
Did u know that Iraqi people are burning the Iranian embassy too? Do not assume u know all that is going on! This is NOT just about gas prices! Thats a lie! People have been revolting for 10 years in Iran! Its just much bigger now!
So they will do one more little Erdogan and start censuring, locking up and eliminating opposite voices.
“US is with you all your life (which won’t be long)!” Pompous-ass is a joke.