PARIS: According to state television, the Iranian government on Sunday announced three days of national mourning for “martyrs,” including security force personnel slain over two weeks of protests. The administration referred to the struggle against “riots” as a “Iranian national resistance battle against America and the Zionist regime,” an Iranian word for Israel that the Islamic republic does not acknowledge. In order to condemn the violence, which the government claimed was carried out by “urban terrorist criminals,” President Masoud Pezeshkian called on citizens to participate in a “national resistance march” of statewide demonstrations on Monday, according to state television.
Following his repeated threats to use force if Tehran killed protestors, US President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that Iran’s leadership had contacted him in an attempt “to negotiate.” Iran has been rattled for the past two weeks by a protest movement that has grown despite a crackdown. The protests, which were first spurred by resentment over the growing cost of living, have developed into a significant challenge to the theocratic system that has been in place since the 1979 revolution. Trump informed reporters on Air Force One yesterday that “the leaders of Iran called” and that “a meeting is being set up.” They wish to engage in negotiations. But “we may have to act before a meeting,” he continued.
Iran Human Rights (IHR), an NGO located in Norway, verified that at least 192 protestors had been killed, but the true number may be significantly higher. Images of burning structures, including a mosque, and security personnel funeral processions have been broadcast on state television.
