U.S. Secretary of State's Reaction to Protests in Kazeroon

Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, expressed support for the protests in Iran on Twitter on Friday, May 17, stating that the killing of three people during the protests in Kazeroon, Fars province, and the internet shutdown reflect the true nature of the Iranian government. Pompeo is the highest-ranking U.S. official to respond to the protests in Kazeroon. He tweeted: 'We support the people of Iran who are protesting against the oppressive regime. The three deaths and the internet shutdown reveal the true nature of this government.' Marco Rubio, a Republican senator from Florida, also tweeted in support of Pompeo's statements, calling for international media attention on the news from Kazeroon. Reports indicate that a gathering of Kazeroon residents protesting a plan to divide the city led to clashes with security forces on Wednesday night. Eyewitnesses and human rights activists report that at least three people were killed and many injured and arrested during the protests on Wednesday night, while the governor of Fars claims that only one person was killed in the clashes. In this context, Mohammad Javad Jamali Nobandegani, a representative from Fasa, told the newspaper 'Shargh' about the clashes on Wednesday in Kazeroon: 'There have been many gatherings during this time, but none have led to clashes. Only a few were arrested, and after these arrests, some gathered in front of the police station demanding the release of the detainees, and subsequently set fire to the police station and even approached an arms depot, which the officers prevented. Two police officers were stabbed in this incident, nine civilians were injured, and one was killed on the first day.' Meanwhile, reports indicate that these protests continued into early Friday morning. Hadi Pouyaesh Jahromi, the deputy governor of Fars, stated that protesters on Friday 'set fire to a bank building' and 'caused damage to police vehicles.' According to IRNA, Hadi Pouyaesh Jahromi said that early Friday, a group of protesters 'set fire to a bank building in Kazeroon and caused damage to public property and police vehicles.' He added that on Thursday, protesters also 'attacked police forces and set fire to two police vehicles.' The newspaper Shargh reported on the situation in Kazeroon on Friday, stating that special forces are present throughout the city and 'some sources have reported a nationwide internet shutdown in the county.' Protests in Kazeroon began following a plan regarding administrative divisions in the county. According to IRNA, Kazeroon citizens are protesting the separation of the areas of 'Qayemiyeh,' 'Nodaan,' and 'Dasht-e-Barm' from the county. Under this plan, the two areas of 'Chenar Shahijan' and 'Qayemiyeh' will be separated from Kazeroon, creating a new county called 'Kuh-Chenar.' This comes despite previous statements from government officials, including the first vice president and the governor of Fars, declaring the plan to be canceled.