'Our enemy is here': Iran protesters demand leaders quit after plane downed

By Parisa Hafezi

 

People and families of the victims of the crash of the Boeing 737-800 plane, flight PS 752, light candles as they gather to show their sympathy in Tehran, Iran January 11, 2020. Nazanin Tabatabaee/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

 

DUBAI (Reuters) - Protests erupted across Iran for a second day on Sunday, increasing pressure on the Islamic Republic's leadership after it admitted its military shot down a Ukrainian airliner by accident, despite days of denials that Iranian forces were to blame.

 

"They are lying that our enemy is America, our enemy is right here," one group of protesters chanted outside a university in Tehran, according to video posted on Twitter.

 

Other posts showed demonstrators outside a second university and a group of protesters marching to Tehran's Azadi (Freedom) Square, as well as protests in other cities.

 

Some state-affiliated media carried reports of the university protests, which followed demonstrations on Saturday sparked by Iran's admission that its military mistakenly shot down the plane on Wednesday, killing all 176 aboard, at a time when Tehran feared U.S. air strikes.

 

The Ukraine International Airlines plane was downed minutes after taking off from Tehran bound for Kiev on Wednesday. Many on board were Iranians with dual citizenship, while 57 were holders of Canadian passports.

 

Residents of the capital told Reuters that police were out in force on Sunday. Some protesters in Azadi Square first called on officers there to join them, then turned their anger on the authorities, chanting anti-government slogans including "Down with the dictator" - a reference to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to social media posts and Iranian media reports.

 

The semi-official ILNA news agency said police moved to disperse the protesters, who it said numbered as many as 3,000. Videos posted online showed protesters running from police who used batons and teargas.

 

Reuters could not authenticate the videos.

 

Public anger boiled up following days of denials by the military that it was to blame for the crash, issued even as Canada and the United States said it appeared that Iranian air defences had shot down the airliner, probably in error.

 

"Apologise and resign," Iran's moderate Etemad daily wrote in a banner headline on Sunday, saying the "people's demand" was that those responsible for mishandling the crisis quit.

 

The latest unrest adds to mounting pressure on the Iranian authorities, who are struggling to keep the crippled economy afloat under stringent U.S. sanctions.

 

Demonstrations against a hike in fuel prices turned political last year, sparking the bloodiest crackdown in the 40-year history of the Islamic Republic. About 1,500 people were killed during less than two weeks of unrest that started on Nov. 15, three Iranian Interior Ministry officials told Reuters, although international rights groups put the figure much lower and Iran called the report "fake news."

 

After saying on Saturday that he was "inspired" by the courage of the demonstrators, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter on Sunday:

 

"To the leaders of Iran - DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS. Thousands have already been killed or imprisoned by you, and the World is watching. More importantly, the USA is watching. Turn your internet back on and let reporters roam free!"

 

'IRAN'S ENEMIES WANT REVENGE'

About 2,000 people packed a vigil for the air-crash victims in Toronto on Sunday, and thousands more were expected at a memorial in Edmonton, Alberta, later in the day where Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was due to speak.

 

The downing of the plane came as Iranian forces were on high alert for U.S. reprisals following tit-for-tat strikes.

 

A U.S. drone strike in Iraq on Jan. 3 killed prominent Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, responsible for building up Iran's network of proxy armies in Iraq and beyond. Tehran responded with missile strikes on U.S. targets in Iraq.

 

No U.S. soldiers were killed in the retaliatory attacks. But in the tense hours that followed, the Boeing 737-800 was cleared to take off from Tehran airport and brought down by a missile fired by mistake.

 

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani apologised for what he said was a "disastrous mistake". But a top Revolutionary Guards commander added to public anger when he said he had told the authorities on the same day as the crash that an Iranian missile had brought down the plane.

 

The Guards' top commander, Hossein Salami, said that "we are more upset than anyone over the incident," state media reported. Another commander said Iran did not intend to conceal the cause.

 

But others said Iran's enemies, a term usually used to refer to Washington and its allies, were exploiting the incident.

 

"Iran's enemies want to take revenge on the Guards for a military mistake," said Ali Shirazi, Khamenei's representative to the Quds Force, the elite overseas Guards unit that Soleimani headed, state media reported.

 

Iranian officials sought to portray the plane disaster as a second blow to a nation mourning after Soleimani's death.

 

His funeral prompted huge public gatherings, which the authorities described as a show of national unity. But the displays of emotion have been swiftly overshadowed and protesters on Saturday tore up pictures of the slain general.

 

The killing of Soleimani dramatically escalated tensions between Tehran and Washington, following months of hostilities since Trump withdrew from a nuclear pact between Iran and world powers in 2018 and then toughened up sanctions.

 

Britain protested after its ambassador in Iran was briefly detained on Saturday. Iranian media said he was inciting protests. The envoy said he attended a vigil for plane victims.

 

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab condemned the arrest and said Iran "can continue its march towards pariah status ... or take steps to de-escalate tensions" with diplomacy.

 

(Reporting by Parisa Hafezi and Dubai newsroom; Writing by Edmund Blair, Pravin Char and Daniel Wallis; Editing by Philippa Fletcher, Frances Kerry and Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-01-13

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I agree the Persians deserve better from their government and for Pete’s sake separate church from state!that would really help!

The Iranian people...were they given a chance...would welcome becoming a player. in the western community of ideas and culture.

 

They have been held hostage by militant mullahs since the 1970s fall of their King.

 

Any dissident activity is dealt with quickly and decisively. 

 

The US has botched the diplomatic relationship many times and continue to fail.

 

It will take a revolution to unseat the hardnose clerics...not likely to happen with the current power structure in place.

 

 

I do believe this may be the time. If the regime attempts to suppress dissent again by killing more protesters, the Irani people will not accept it. The overthrow may start when parts of the elite Iran Revolutionary Guard begin to switch sides. The IRG must be feeling tremendous pressure from the people after shooting down a passenger plane. Again I wish all Irani people a bright future.

 

Edited January 12, 20206 yr by rabas

Quite the contrast to the disinformation in other threads that stated as fact the latest developments had quelled the protests. Nothing could have been further from the truth. The leadership is in deep doo doo in Iran. 

1 hour ago, Tug said:

I agree the Persians deserve better from their government and for Pete’s sake separate church from state!that would really help!

 

You would have to rewrite the Iranian constitution that was ratified in 1979 and explicitly prohibits any change of state religion to accomplish that. So you want regime change?

I dident say they need to change religion I said religion needs to be kept separate from government that imo is one of the root problems in the Middle East it’s up to the Persian people if they want regime change

The 60 odd people who died in the funeral stampede and even more Iranians dies with the downing of the plane while the Mullahs and army deny in boldface and spread disinformation and more blames starting to dawn on the people in the street that not all well and that they're being told lies and misinformation and that there's must be a better way to live with the world and not in constant war and economic ostereties and difficulties while the Mullahs and the elite lives the high live no doubts...

Edited January 13, 20206 yr by ezzra

3 minutes ago, Tug said:

I dident say they need to change religion I said religion needs to be kept separate from government that imo is one of the root problems in the Middle East it’s up to the Persian people if they want regime change

 

Sure and I was simply pointing out that by their own constitution Iran is and always will be officially ... the way they are.

 

2 hours ago, Tug said:

I agree the Persians deserve better from their government and for Pete’s sake separate church from state!that would really help!

Surely you mean Mosque?

(I doubt if there are any churches there!)

1 hour ago, rabas said:

I do believe this may be the time. If the regime attempts to suppress dissent again by killing more protesters, the Irani people will not accept it. The overthrow may start when parts of the elite Iran Revolutionary Guard begin to switch sides. The IRG must be feeling tremendous pressure from the people after shooting down a passenger plane. Again I wish all Irani people a bright future.

 

Lots of speculation without any real insight in what is happening.

2 minutes ago, evadgib said:

Surely you mean Mosque?

(I doubt if there are any churches there!)

As I said, no insight, even worse, no knowledge. Google would show you your statement is not true.

39 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Lots of speculation without any real insight in what is happening.

 

Did you finally admit the plane was brought down by a missile? You sat there and made outrageous claims against what is generally accepted as the truth,

45 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Lots of speculation without any real insight in what is happening.

They all carry razors just in case there is a revolution, but you probably don't know that. I've had a long relationship with Iran, it's business and people, many are friends. What is your insight?

 

11 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

Did you finally admit the plane was brought down by a missile? You sat there and made outrageous claims against what is generally accepted as the truth,

I made no claims at all, all I said is 'wait till the facts are known'.

2 minutes ago, stevenl said:

I made no claims at all, all I said is 'wait till the facts are known'.

I remember things a little differently. Nonetheless I am praying for you. We liven a world full of globalism and need to abstain from being so spurious and become more circumspect.

Here is apparently the bottom line : Dont screw up my economic life by pissing off the Big Dog and wasting our hard earned national money giving it to looney haters. 

 

Translation: you are raising my price of gas to fund Hezbollah? Death to You. I want Gucci!

 

I would note that the protestors are not very much better than their masters with the "Death To (insert hated enemy here)" chants. Doesnt give me a lot of confidence that this formerly great nation deserves a seat at the buffet table.

1 hour ago, evadgib said:

Surely you mean Mosque?

(I doubt if there are any churches there!)

There is certainly Christian there and even the most important jew community outside Israel. 

 

Seems the CIA are doing a good job

1 hour ago, Cryingdick said:

I remember things a little differently. Nonetheless I am praying for you. We liven a world full of globalism and need to abstain from being so spurious and become more circumspect.

Please don't.

2 hours ago, evadgib said:

Surely you mean Mosque?

(I doubt if there are any churches there!)

There are some churches. Iran is home of many Arminians (born in Iran). There are some old churches as well (hundreds years old).  

4 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

Quite the contrast to the disinformation in other threads that stated as fact the latest developments had quelled the protests. Nothing could have been further from the truth. The leadership is in deep doo doo in Iran. 

 

The BBC showed film of Iranian ladies ripping down posters of Solomeni and throwing them away.

 

Such an outburst of anger. Now people are questioning how many other lies they've been fed.

 

You can't fool all the people all the time.

2 hours ago, Tayaout said:

There is certainly Christian there and even the most important jew community outside Israel. 

 

 

And at not even 1% of the population those Christians in Iran must be fantastically influential!

1 minute ago, Baerboxer said:

 

And at not even 1% of the population those Christians in Iran must be fantastically influential!

Which is not the point.

Yes Iran, you have the Hezbollah, The Ayatollah, and Cleric, leadership.  They are the

enemy.  Maybe it is time for the people of Iran to have a rebellion and get the Military

who are not brainwashed to rise up and take over the country as a military dictatorship.

  Put Religion back where it really belongs, in the religious places.

Geezer

36 minutes ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

Yes Iran, you have the Hezbollah, The Ayatollah, and Cleric, leadership.  They are the

enemy.  Maybe it is time for the people of Iran to have a rebellion and get the Military

who are not brainwashed to rise up and take over the country as a military dictatorship.

  Put Religion back where it really belongs, in the religious places.

Geezer

 

As popular as dictators and dictatorships appear to be with Mr. Trump, they are not generally considered to be a good thing! Even military ones (Possibly happening in a place near you) are only good for the manufacturers of medals.

 

Iran does have elections which look fairly honestly run. Sadly religion is the problem. Separation of religion and government is always necessary. We shouldn't be just blaming Iran about it though, the obnoxious religious fundamentalists in many countries wield far too much power, not just Iran. Orthodox Judaism, Salafi/Wahabi Sunni muslims in Saudi Arabia, Nutty evangelicals in the US, Catholics in Poland and Ireland (Formerly).

 

"Put Religion back where it really belongs, in the religious places." I agree completely, though hopefully one day it will be in the museum, and the ancient history class only.

5 hours ago, canopus1969 said:

Seems the CIA are doing a good job

Oooh, you do have a nasty suspicous mind. At least haven't unearthed any WMD's - yet.

 

 

Iran ,before Persia, has a long history from the ancient times, so the same, culture and heritage ,and  Iranians are proud of that.  They also have free elections( unfortunately, no pro-western candidates) .The Iranians are more educated   than  people in Saudi Arabia or in any other surrounding country. When it comes to religion, it is their way of life and mentality and it should be understood so. They also have got huge reserves of oil and it looks like they are not prepared to let any other country to exploit it, which is very undemocratic  

1 hour ago, looking on the bright side said:

Iran ,before Persia, has a long history from the ancient times, so the same, culture and heritage ,and  Iranians are proud of that.  They also have free elections( unfortunately, no pro-western candidates) .The Iranians are more educated   than  people in Saudi Arabia or in any other surrounding country. When it comes to religion, it is their way of life and mentality and it should be understood so. They also have got huge reserves of oil and it looks like they are not prepared to let any other country to exploit it, which is very undemocratic  

This is good, and IMO accurate although the religion bit is not really complete. There is nothing any more inherently wrong with Shia Islam than there is with Christianity, and they have a right to practice it if they want. Unfortunately the problem lies with the forced adherence to a bunch of primitive rules. The young of Iran would clearly like to be free to be secular if they wanted, and out of the control/supervision of the republican guard. 

I have every respect for Iranian culture which goes back close to the time of the world's first civilisations. Europeans are a long way behind, and the US never had an ancient culture (Apart from the "Indians").

To Nigel Garvie: The  Shia Muslims protected  some Christian churches against IS in Syria, and IS mercenaries are Suni Muslims , most of them. The Shia Muslims get along well with the Christian minority in the Middle East.

Agree it is not a good idea to force anybody into observing some restricting ,or oppressive religious rules and young people in Iran seek for more freedom ,naturally, and it goes together with getting educated. In some time the religious pressure in Iran will ease, it will simply evolve in that way.

Here in Thaivisa ,some readers blame religion, any religion, but it is humans who invented religion for their needs .How they will twist it, or misuse it and abuse it ,is another issue. Basically people need religion, I would rather use the word  faith, because it can be of great help in hard times .