Trump: Protesters in Iran are fed up with government corruption

Following protests against the government and economic conditions in various cities in Iran, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, called on the Iranian government on Friday, December 29, to respect the rights of the people, including the right to free speech. In a message posted on his Twitter account, Trump wrote: "Many reports have emerged of peaceful protests by Iranian citizens who are fed up with the regime's corruption and the waste of the country's wealth to financially support terrorism abroad." The U.S. President emphasized that the Iranian government must respect the rights of the people, including their right to express their opinions. The world is watching. Several cities in Iran witnessed protests against the government and economic conditions over the past two days. Initially, on Thursday, gatherings were held in cities such as Mashhad, Nishapur, Shahrud, and Kashmar in protest against rising prices. However, protests continued on Friday in other cities, including Tehran, Ahvaz, Qom, Kashmar, Quchan, and Kermanshah. Reports indicate that in some cities, security forces used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters. Government and judicial officials also stated that several protesters were arrested. Based on some videos circulated on social media, demonstrators chanted slogans such as: "Leave Syria / Think about us," "Not Gaza, not Lebanon, my life is for Iran," "May the soul of Reza Shah rest in peace," "What a mistake I made by revolting," "Either death or freedom," "Political prisoners must be freed," "The nation begs, the cleric rules," and "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, we are all together." In this context, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department condemned the arrest of protesters and called for support from all countries for the Iranian people's demands for their fundamental rights and an end to corruption. Several members of the U.S. Congress have also called for support for the protests in Iran. Paul Ryan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, stated that it is important for us to support peaceful protests in Iran. Additionally, Orrin Hatch, a Republican senator from Utah, wrote on his Twitter account that he stands with the Iranian people and their demands for transparency and freedom, urging his colleagues in Congress to join him. Tom Cotton, a Republican senator, also called for support for the protests on Thursday. In this context, the U.S. called for global support for the Iranian people's demands. The Speaker of the House of Representatives emphasized the importance of supporting peaceful protests in Iran. Senator Cotton, referring to the protests in Mashhad, called for support for the Iranian people. 52 people were arrested during the protest in Mashhad. Protests occurred in several cities in Iran, with arrests of protesters in Tehran and Kermanshah. The situation in Iran is critical, with implications for the opposition and the potential radicalization of Iranian society.