The Jerusalem Post

Iran has foiled plot to use protests to overthrow system – Khamenei

Supreme leader blames US, UK, Israel, Riyadh for unrest

- • By BABAK DEHGHANPIS­HEH (Reuters)

BEIRUT (Reuters) – Tehran has foiled attempts by its foreign enemies to turn legitimate protests into an insurgency to overthrow the Islamic Republic, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday.

Comments on his Twitter feed and in Iranian media underscore­d the establishm­ent’s confidence that it has extinguish­ed the unrest that spread to more than 80 cities in which at least 22 people died since late December.

“Once again, the nation tells the US, Britain, and those who seek to overthrow the Islamic Republic of Iran from abroad that ‘you’ve failed, and you will fail in the future, too,’” Khamenei tweeted.

The Revolution­ary Guards said on Sunday security forces had put an end to the unrest that had been whipped up by foreign enemies.

At least 1,000 people have been arrested in the biggest antigovern­ment protests for nearly a decade, with the judiciary saying ringleader­s could face the death penalty.

Khamenei said President Donald Trump was grandstand­ing when he tweeted support for protesters he said were trying “to take back their corrupt government” and promising “great support from the United States at the appropriat­e time!”

The Iranian leader tweeted: ”... this man who sits at the head of the White House – although, he seems to be a very unstable man – he must realize that these extreme and psychotic episodes won’t be left without a response.”

As well as Washington and London, Khamenei blamed the violence on Israel, exiled dissident group People’s Mujahedin of Iran and “a wealthy government” in the Gulf, a reference to Saudi Arabia.

In a rare public appearance, the head of the Mossad said the protests were due to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s failure to improve people’s economic or social circumstan­ces, but he said they were unlikely to overthrow the establishm­ent.

“In Iran too, we have eyes and ears,” Yossi Cohen told a Finance Ministry conference in Jerusalem.

“One shouldn’t develop high hopes, though I would be happy to see a meaningful revolution,” he added.

Khamenei has called the protests – which were initially about the economy but soon turned political – “playing with fireworks,” but he said citizens had a right to air legitimate concerns, a rare concession by a leader who usually voices clear support for security crackdowns.

“These concerns must be addressed. We must listen, we must hear. We must provide answers within our means,” Khamenei was quoted as saying, hinting that not only the government of Rouhani but his own clerical leadership must also respond.

“I’m not saying that they must follow up. I am also responsibl­e. All of us must follow up,” Khamenei said.

 ??  ?? IRAN’S SUPREME LEADER Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gestures as he speaks in Tehran yesterday.
IRAN’S SUPREME LEADER Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gestures as he speaks in Tehran yesterday.

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