The President of the United States, Donald Trump, declared this Saturday (10) that his government is willing to offer “help” for the “freedom” of Iran. The declaration comes amid demonstrations that have reached their second week and are contesting economic policies in the country.
In publication on social media Truth SocialTrump stated that “Iran seeks freedom, perhaps like never before.” The American president added that the United States “stands ready to help.”
The expression of support follows the position of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. She also said on Saturday that Europe “fully supports” Iranian women and men who are calling for freedom.
According to information from the EFE Agency, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also wrote on social media that “the US stands alongside the courageous people of Iran”. According to him, protests against economic policies spread to dozens of cities. Furthermore, he highlighted that they challenge the authority of the Iranian supreme leader, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Trump has not detailed what actions he might take, but has previously warned of the possibility of intervening in Iran in response to the violent crackdown on protesters. According to a report released on Friday by the civil organization Iran Human Rights Governance (IHRNGO), at least 51 people have died since December 28.
On the fourteenth day of demonstrations, with the country still without communications, the Iranian military stated, this Saturday, that it will react firmly to any “plan” supported by the United States that, according to them, seeks to provoke instability and compromise the security of the Islamic Republic.
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Protesters report bodies piled up in hospital after protests in Iran
According to reports obtained by CNN, The size and diversity of the protests in Tehran caught the attention of those on the streets. A woman and a man said they saw people of all ages participating in demonstrations in the Iranian capital last Thursday (8) and Friday (9).
According to reports, the scenario changed drastically the following night. The security forces, armed with military-grade rifles, allegedly opened a violent repression, resulting in the deaths of “many people”, according to the protesters interviewed by the broadcaster.
In another neighborhood of Tehran, protest participants told the CNN who provided aid to a man aged approximately 65 who was seriously injured during the repression. He had around 40 rubber bullets lodged in his legs and a broken arm. The group tried to take him to different hospitals, but described the care as disorganized and out of control. A woman claimed to have seen “bodies piled on top of each other” inside a hospital unit.
Other protesters reported to CNN that the number of people on the streets was unprecedented, surpassing anything they had ever witnessed before, and they classified the scenes as “extremely beautiful and full of hope”.
