Iran News Round Up: Iranian officials react to widespread protests - January 3, 2018

President Hassan Rouhani called on the people and the government to work together in order to address the country’s issues in a pre-recorded address on December 31. Rouhani said that the “people have problems that need to be solved,” and stressed that the “people's expectations and demands are rightful.” Rouhani suggested that all of the “social and economic [indexes] indicate that the situation of the country is better than what it was 4 years ago,” but noted that the “decrease in people’s purchasing power from five to six years ago has not been addressed yet.” Rouhani said that the “people's’ criticism is not only about the economy… it is also about corruption and transparency.” Rouhani expressed his support for the people’s right to voice their criticism but stressed that it must be done so lawfully. He stated that the “people choosing the wrong way of voicing their opinions… can be dangerous for the security and future of Iran.” Rouhani said that the people should be able to use Iranian state TV to voice their opinions and to speak their minds, but that “the government will not tolerate groups that want to destroy public property or to disrupt social orderliness to create unrest in society.” (Fars News Agency)  

• Reformist former President Mohammad Khatami said that “the recognition of people’s demands for answers by those who are responsible… [will] help people” in a tweet on December 30. (Instagram)
• First Vice President Eshagh Jahangiri stated, “The government is capable of flexibility, the power of reform, and the ability to advance the people’s demands. Iran stands against any threats to democracy, reform, and any intimidation,” in a tweet on January 2. He also tweeted, “Through voting and participation from the people, elites, and institutions, Iran can improve and reform.” Jahangiri also stated, “Nobody benefits from violence, destruction, and extremism. It only hurts the country,” on January 1. (Twitter) (Twitter) (Twitter)
• Interior Minister Abdol Reza Rahmani Fazli said, “People that take to destroying public property, act disorderly and unlawfully, need to be accountable for their actions and pay the costs.” Fazli noted that “the government, Parliament, and Judiciary are dedicated to following up on the people’s demands in order to solve their problems.” (IRIB News)
• Tehran Revolutionary Tribunal Prosecutor General Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi claimed that Iran’s enemies are attempting to “ride the waves of [the people’s] problems in order to strike a blow” to the regime in the current protests as Iran’s enemies did in the 2009 Green Movement. Dowlatabadi charged the U.S. for fueling the “anti-institutional” protests. (IRINN)

National Security and Foreign Policy (NSFP) Parliamentary Committee Chairman Alaeddin Boroujerdi stated that the U.S. has “no right to interfere in the Islamic Republic’s internal affairs,” while Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghassemi condemned President Donald Trump and the State Department’s statements on the protests as “meddlesome” and “opportunistic.” Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, stated that the “people's economic demands are different [from] rioters. Iranians prefer national security & religious democracy as practiced by [Iran’s] Islamic system over [the White House’s] terrorist & deceptive policies,” in a tweet on December 31. (Tasnim News Agency) (Tasnim News Agency) (NYT)

Executives of Construction Party Secretary-General Gholam Hossein Karbaschi stated on the messaging app Telegram that Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Ali Shamkhani summoned hardliner Ayatollah Ahmad Alam ol Hoda, the Supreme Leader’s Representative in Razavi Khorasan Province, to the SNSC. Alam ol Hoda’s office later denied the claim. BBC Persian reported that Alam ol Hoda, who is based in Mashhad, is rumored to have instigated the first protests in Mashhad. (Instagram) (Tasnim News Agency) (BBC Persian)

Mehr News Agency blamed the protests on foreign intervention and describes the protests as destructive and “bullying.” Hardline Raja News blamed Saudi Arabia. Tasnim News Agency also stated, “During the rallies, people called on the government to help control rising food prices and inflation, but some opportunists attempted to turn the situation ugly and materialize their vested interest at the cost of social security.” IRGC-friendly Fars News Agency reportedly highlighted vandalism occuring in Tehran. (Tasnim News Agency) (Twitter) (Twitter) (Mehr News Agency)

IRGC Khuzestan Provincial Unit Cultural and Social Deputy Hojjat ol Eslam Amir Mir Alaaei said “the government needs to address the people’s demands about their rights… government officials cannot allow for the uprisers to take on divisive slogans and to take advantage of this turbulent situation,” in a statement on December 30. A pro-IRGC Telegram channel reportedly stated, “If you’re dissatisfied about the government’s economic plans, call for President Rouhani’s resignation, why do you burn pictures of the Basij?” (Tasnim News Agency) (Twitter)

• The IRGC issued a statement on December 30 that the recent wave of protests is an effort to repeat the 2009 “unrest,” and that Iran “will not allow the country to be hurt.” (New York Times) (E)

IRGC Spokesman Brig. Gen. Ramazan Sharif stated that as of January 2, the Law Enforcement Forces (LEF), Iran’s police force, had “not made a specific announcement” requesting the IRGC’s assistance in responding to the protests, and that the protests were “much smaller cases” than typically required for the IRGC’s involvement. In some cities, the LEF requested assistance from the Basij. (Sepah News)

• IRGC Sarallah Headquarters Deputy Brig. Gen. Mohammad Kowsari stated on January 2 that Tehran is “peaceful” and that “we will not allow insecurity to continue in Tehran.” Kowsari stated that the Basij began assisting the LEF in Tehran on the afternoon of January 1. (Radio Farda) (E) (ILNA)

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his support in a series of tweets for the protest movement in Iran. Trump stated on January 1 that the “people of Iran are acting out against a brutal and corrupt regime” and that they have “little food, inflation, and no human rights.” He also stated that it is “time for change” for the Iranian people. Trump tweeted on December 31 that Iranian authorities closed down the internet in order to prevent communication among the peaceful demonstrators. He also accused Iran of committing numerous human rights violations.

• Vice President Mike Pence, British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were among other international figures who expressed their support for the protests. Gabriel and Johnson both called on the government to respect protesters’ rights to freedom of expression and peaceful demonstration. (Twitter) (Twitter) (Twitter) (Twitter) (Twitter) (Twitter) (Reuters) (E) (Reuters) (E)
• U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq and Iran Andrew Peek stated on January 1 that the Trump administration is considering extending sanctions and other actions against the people and entities in Iran responsible for violence against protesters. Peek also mentioned plans to create an international coalition to support the rights of the Iranian people. (Voice of America) (E)

French Ambassador to the U.S. Gerard Araud stated that President Hassan Rouhani and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to postpone French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian’s planned visit to Iran. Rouhani also reportedly discussed regional developments such as Iran’s involvement in Iraq and Syria with Macron during a telephone conversation on January 2. (Twitter) (Tasnim News Agency) (E)