Iranian President mocks Trump over anti-government protests

Iran's president says Iranians have the right to protest but Trump has no right to sympathize with them.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Photo: AFP.

"People have the absolute freedom to criticize the government and protest, but protests must be conducted in a way that improves the situation in the country and their lives. Criticism is different from violence and destruction of public property," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on December 31, according to Reuters.

Mr Rouhani also mocked Mr Trump's comments, after the US president expressed support for Iranian protests.

"This man in America is showing sympathy for our people, forgetting that he himself called Iran terrorists a few months ago. This man who is fiercely against Iran has no right to sympathize with the Iranian people," Mr. Rouhani said.

Tens of thousands of Iranians have been protesting across the country since December 28, 2017, against the government and Iran's foreign policy in the region. They are dissatisfied with the country's economic hardship and corruption. They also chanted slogans in support of political prisoners.

Two people were killed during protests in the town of Dorud on the evening of December 30. Iranian officials accused foreign agents of being behind the incident.

The protests continued on January 1 despite warnings from the government that they would be suppressed, in what is one of the biggest challenges to Iran's leadership since unrest in 2009.

According to VNE