‘God’ squad in counterprotest
Tens of thousands of people held pro-government rallies across Iran on Wednesday, some shouting, “Death to American mercenaries” as the commander of the powerful Revolutionary Guard declared an end to the unrest that led to the deaths of 21 people.
“The enemies should know that threats against Iran’s defense and security no longer work,” said Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, who dispatched troops to several cities where “troublemakers” continued to rally.
“With the help of God, their defeat is definite.”
Earlier Wednesday, state television broadcast images of regime-friendly supporters gathering in dozens of cities and towns — including Qom, the religious capital of Shiite Islam — carrying signs and Iranian flags.
They shouted their support for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who the previous day blamed the protests on outside agitators.
“The blood in our veins is a gift to our leader” and “We will not leave our leader alone” were among the chants.
By nightfall, more anti-gov- ernment protesters defied Jafari and hit the streets in several cities and continued to rail against Khamenei and the economic hardships plaguing working-class Iranians.
“People are begging; the supreme leader is acting like God,” protesters shouted.
In retaliation, Jafari ordered his forces to the cities where the protests were happening to end “the new sedition.”
At the White House, President Trump again offered encouragement to the protesters.
“Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!” he wrote on Twitter.
The anti-government protests, the most expansive unrest to hit the country since a disputed presidential election in 2009, have resulted in hundreds of arrests and the government blocking popular social-media sites, such as Instagram and Telegram, to limit the spread of information about the demonstrations.
The Trump administration has called for restoring the blocked sites and has continued to reach out to Iranians on the State Department’s Internet platforms.