Iran has been accused of “deliberately covering up” deaths and arrests during a crackdown on demonstrations over the last fortnight, by human rights organisations.
It is reported that at least 140 people have been killed and over 7,000 arrested.
Protests have been taking place in some 100 cities and towns across Iran since 15th November; when the government abruptly raised gasoline prices as much as 200% and imposed a strict rationing system.
These protests soon turned into violent demonstrations about a number of grievances in the country of 80 million, where unemployment and inflation have been worsening in recent years.
In response to the violence, Iranian officials shut down internet access across the country, leaving national connectivity at just 22%. The connection has since been partially resorted, but many regions including parts of Tehran remain offline.
Three days after the protests began, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – designated a terrorist organisation by a number of states internationally – threatened anti-government demonstrators with “decisive and revolutionary action against any continued moves to disturb the people’s peace and security”.
This week, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo said the government had received nearly 20,000 videos, photographs and notes from Iranians following his call for evidence that the protests had been violently suppressed during the internet blackout.
Iranian officials have blamed the street violence on the intervention of “thugs” backed by Israel, the United States and Saudi Arabia.
