The Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei's niece was sentenced to imprisonment for three years after she was convicted for criticising the regime publicly and extending her support to the protests taking place across the country against the Islamic Republic, said her lawyer on Friday.

On November 23. Farideh Moradkhani, who belongs to that part of Khamenei’s family which has been critical of the regime for a long, was arrested by the police and has been in police custody since then.

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sister-of-irans-supreme-leader-denounces-her-brothers-despotic-regime-541157">Sister of Iran's supreme leader denounces her brother's 'despotic' regime</a>

Moradkhani's lawyer Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, in a tweet, said that her trial took place in a clerical court, which is independent of the judiciary of the country and is only answerable to the supreme leader, although she is not a cleric.

The lawyer added that he was not allowed to attend the hearing where Moradkhani was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment initially.&nbsp;

However, his appeal was accepted by the court and her prison term was shortened by three years, the lawyer informed.&nbsp;

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-president-raisi-says-will-continue-crackdown-on-protesters-541728">Iran: President Raisi says crackdown on protesters will continue; Sunni cleric questions execution</a>

Earlier, Moradkhani’s mother and the supreme leader's sister, Badri Hosseini Khamenei, had announced her opposition to Ali Khamenei's regime and expressed her solidarity with the movement against Mahsa Amini's killing in the police custody which has swept Iran.

In a letter released publicly by her son from France, Badri stated that all her ties with Ali Khamenei have been cut off and demanded that he should step down from his position.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei's niece was sentenced to imprisonment for three years after she was convicted for criticising the regime publicly and extending her support to the protests taking place across the country against the Islamic Republic, said her lawyer on Friday.

The Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei's niece was sentenced to imprisonment for three years after she was convicted for criticising the regime publicly and extending her support to the protests taking place across the country against the Islamic Republic, said her lawyer on Friday. On November 23. Farideh Moradkhani, who belongs to that part of Khamenei’s family which has been critical of the regime for a long, was arrested by the police and has been in police custody since then. ALSO READ| Sister of Iran's supreme leader denounces her brother's 'despotic' regime Moradkhani's lawyer Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, in a tweet, said that her trial took place in a clerical court, which is independent of the judiciary of the country and is only answerable to the supreme leader, although she is not a cleric. The lawyer added that he was not allowed to attend the hearing where Moradkhani was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment initially. However, his appeal was accepted by the court and her prison term was shortened by three years, the lawyer informed. ALSO READ| Iran: President Raisi says crackdown on protesters will continue; Sunni cleric questions execution Earlier, Moradkhani’s mother and the supreme leader's sister, Badri Hosseini Khamenei, had announced her opposition to Ali Khamenei's regime and expressed her solidarity with the movement against Mahsa Amini's killing in the police custody which has swept Iran. In a letter released publicly by her son from France, Badri stated that all her ties with Ali Khamenei have been cut off and demanded that he should step down from his position. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran leader Khamenei’s niece Farideh Moradkhani sentenced to three years’ imprisonment

The sister of Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, has written a letter condemning her brother's regime. This comes as the regime's brutal crackdown has intensified.

WION Fineprint | Iran: Khamenei's sister supports protesters

A 16-year-old Iranian girl died after she was allegedly beaten up by security forces in her classroom along with other students for refusing to sing an anthem praising Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The incident took place last week in northwestern Ardabil city when the security forces were raiding the Shaheed Girls High School.

They tried to coerce the schoolgirls to sing the anthem in the honour of Iran’s supreme leader when 16-year-old Asra Panahi, among others, resisted. Following this, they were beaten up.

The Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers' Trade Associations issued a statement on Wednesday saying that Panahi later succumbed to her injuries in hospital, reports BBC.

However, the Iranian authorities denied responsibility for Asra’s death, while her uncle claimed that his niece died due to a heart condition.

Asra’s death comes at a time when Iran is simmering in chaos ever since the anti-government protests swept the nation a month ago.&nbsp;They have been protesting against the regime for the custodial death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the Morality Police for wearing a headscarf inappropriately.

There have been reports that several young girls have died, with the relatives and human rights groups blaming the security forces for it.

The protests that began in the streets have since then gripped several schools, where teenage girls have agitated in classrooms, and playgrounds in a show of support for the women-led protests against the hijab law and the clerical establishment.

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“Death to the dictator!” 
 
School girls waving forced-hijabs, chanting in the streets of Sanandaj. Oct 17 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mahsa_Amini?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mahsa_Amini</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D9%85%D9%87%D8%B3%D8%A7_%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86%DB%8C?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#مهسا_امینی</a> <a href="https://t.co/CggC37eVy9">pic.twitter.com/CggC37eVy9</a>
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Several videos gone viral on social media showed schoolgirls waving their headscarves in the air and confronting male officials with slogans like "Woman, life, freedom" and "Death to the dictator" - a reference to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A 16-year-old Iranian girl died after she was allegedly beaten up by security forces in her classroom along with other students for refusing to sing an anthem praising Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

A 16-year-old Iranian girl died after she was allegedly beaten up by security forces in her classroom along with other students for refusing to sing an anthem praising Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The incident took place last week in northwestern Ardabil city when the security forces were raiding the Shaheed Girls High School. They tried to coerce the schoolgirls to sing the anthem in the honour of Iran’s supreme leader when 16-year-old Asra Panahi, among others, resisted. Following this, they were beaten up. The Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers' Trade Associations issued a statement on Wednesday saying that Panahi later succumbed to her injuries in hospital, reports BBC. However, the Iranian authorities denied responsibility for Asra’s death, while her uncle claimed that his niece died due to a heart condition. Asra’s death comes at a time when Iran is simmering in chaos ever since the anti-government protests swept the nation a month ago. They have been protesting against the regime for the custodial death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the Morality Police for wearing a headscarf inappropriately. There have been reports that several young girls have died, with the relatives and human rights groups blaming the security forces for it. The protests that began in the streets have since then gripped several schools, where teenage girls have agitated in classrooms, and playgrounds in a show of support for the women-led protests against the hijab law and the clerical establishment. “Death to the dictator!” School girls waving forced-hijabs, chanting in the streets of Sanandaj. Oct 17 #Mahsa_Amini #مهسا_امینی pic.twitter.com/CggC37eVy9 — IranHumanRights.org (@ICHRI) October 17, 2022 × Several videos gone viral on social media showed schoolgirls waving their headscarves in the air and confronting male officials with slogans like "Woman, life, freedom" and "Death to the dictator" - a reference to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

16-year-old Iranian schoolgirl beaten to death for refusing to sing anthem praising supreme leader

Widespread anti-Hijab protests continue to rock Iran amid the rising calls for the country's leadership to step down. Iran's Supreme leader Ali Khamenei has now issued a warning to the protesters. Watch the video to listen what he has to say.

Iran's anti-Hijab protests enter fifth week: Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warns protesters

The Iranian people’s protest against the custodial death of a 22-year-old woman has spilled over worldwide, with the diaspora community and activists holding agitations against the Tehran government.

In 159 major cities worldwide like Auckland, London, Melbourne, New York, Paris, Rome, Seoul, Stockholm, Sydney and Zurich, protesters marched under the slogan “Women, life, liberty” seeking greater freedom and autonomy for women in Iran.

Many of the protesters are Iranians living in exile.&nbsp;

According to reports, the agitators in these cities assembled at the Islamic Republic’s embassies or consulates or main squares, chanting slogans against the regime, such as&nbsp;“Death to the dictator,” in reference to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

On Saturday, several thousand people marched in Montreal and other Canadian cities in solidarity with protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of Iran's notorious morality police.

In Rome, around 1,000 people took to the streets to vent their anger at the regime.

"With this regime, it is not possible to receive human rights, that's all. Now is the time for all of us to think that we have the ability to change this 43-year-long oppression," Euronews quoted Sahar, who's been living in Italy for 10 years.

In Berlin, more than 1,000 people gathered, holding placards denouncing the Iranian regime, while in Lisbon, some 200 people chanted "no to dictatorship".

A wave of street violence has gripped Iran since 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died days after her arrest for allegedly failing to observe the Islamic republic's strict dress code for women.

Protests were held across the country for a 17th consecutive day on Sunday despite a bloody crackdown that rights groups said has left more than 75 people dead.

The 1500tasvir social media channel shared video footage of large demonstrations in the capital, as well as the shrine city of Mashhad and Kermanshah in the west.

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A line of women without hijabs walks down Valiasr Street in Tehran with their scarves in the air. 
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— 1500tasvir_en (@1500tasvir_en) <a href="https://twitter.com/1500tasvir_en/status/1576231509471674368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Iran has blamed outside forces for the nationwide protests and recently arrested "nine foreign nationals"&nbsp;from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland, along with 256 members of outlawed opposition groups.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE: 

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The Iranian people’s protest against the custodial death of a 22-year-old woman has spilled over worldwide, with the diaspora community and activists holding agitations against the Tehran government.

The Iranian people’s protest against the custodial death of a 22-year-old woman has spilled over worldwide, with the diaspora community and activists holding agitations against the Tehran government. In 159 major cities worldwide like Auckland, London, Melbourne, New York, Paris, Rome, Seoul, Stockholm, Sydney and Zurich, protesters marched under the slogan “Women, life, liberty” seeking greater freedom and autonomy for women in Iran. Many of the protesters are Iranians living in exile. According to reports, the agitators in these cities assembled at the Islamic Republic’s embassies or consulates or main squares, chanting slogans against the regime, such as “Death to the dictator,” in reference to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. On Saturday, several thousand people marched in Montreal and other Canadian cities in solidarity with protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of Iran's notorious morality police. In Rome, around 1,000 people took to the streets to vent their anger at the regime. "With this regime, it is not possible to receive human rights, that's all. Now is the time for all of us to think that we have the ability to change this 43-year-long oppression," Euronews quoted Sahar, who's been living in Italy for 10 years. In Berlin, more than 1,000 people gathered, holding placards denouncing the Iranian regime, while in Lisbon, some 200 people chanted "no to dictatorship". A wave of street violence has gripped Iran since 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died days after her arrest for allegedly failing to observe the Islamic republic's strict dress code for women. Protests were held across the country for a 17th consecutive day on Sunday despite a bloody crackdown that rights groups said has left more than 75 people dead. The 1500tasvir social media channel shared video footage of large demonstrations in the capital, as well as the shrine city of Mashhad and Kermanshah in the west. A line of women without hijabs walks down Valiasr Street in Tehran with their scarves in the air. #مهسا_امینی #MahsaAmini #IranRevolution pic.twitter.com/XBUo9F1rvG — 1500tasvir_en (@1500tasvir_en) October 1, 2022 × Iran has blamed outside forces for the nationwide protests and recently arrested "nine foreign nationals" from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland, along with 256 members of outlawed opposition groups. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Protests in solidarity with Mahsa Amini killed in Iran spill across 159 cities worldwide

Iran's&nbsp;Supreme Leader Ali&nbsp;Khamenei&nbsp;described&nbsp;homosexuality&nbsp;as part of the "moral deprivation" widespread in Western civilisation, during a televised speech on Tuesday.

"There is severe moral deprivation in the world today such as&nbsp;homosexuality&nbsp;and things that one cannot bring oneself to even talk about. Some have rightly called Western civilisation a new age of ignorance,"&nbsp;Khamenei&nbsp;said.

Western rights groups have often criticised Iran, where homosexual acts among men can be punished by the death penalty.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nuclear-deal-talks-iran-says-west-still-not-making-political-decisions-457494">Nuclear deal talks: Iran says West still not making 'political decisions'</a>&nbsp;

Tehran has dismissed the criticism as baseless and due to a lack of understanding of its Islamic laws.

"The same moral vices of the age of ignorance (in pre-Islamic Arabia) exist today in the so-called civilised Western world in an organised and more widespread way. Life in Western civilisation is based on greed, and money is the basis of all Western values,"&nbsp;Khamenei&nbsp;said.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei described homosexuality as part of the "moral deprivation" widespread in Western civilisation, during a televised speech on Tuesday.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei described homosexuality as part of the "moral deprivation" widespread in Western civilisation, during a televised speech on Tuesday. "There is severe moral deprivation in the world today such as homosexuality and things that one cannot bring oneself to even talk about. Some have rightly called Western civilisation a new age of ignorance," Khamenei said. Western rights groups have often criticised Iran, where homosexual acts among men can be punished by the death penalty. Also read | Nuclear deal talks: Iran says West still not making 'political decisions' Tehran has dismissed the criticism as baseless and due to a lack of understanding of its Islamic laws. "The same moral vices of the age of ignorance (in pre-Islamic Arabia) exist today in the so-called civilised Western world in an organised and more widespread way. Life in Western civilisation is based on greed, and money is the basis of all Western values," Khamenei said.

Iran's Khamenei says homosexuality example of West's immorality

Iranian state broadcaster was hacked on Thursday. Dissents hijacked the broadcast - and called for the death of Iran's Supreme Leader. Tehran is blaming an old enemy for the hack. Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Iran State TV hacked, broadcast calls for Khamenei's death

Hackers gained access to several Iranian state television channels and broadcast pictures of an exiled dissident group and a graphic demanding the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei be killed.

Iran: Hackers show dissident images on state television, call for Khamenei's death

Iranians are voting to choose their next President. But all the odds are stacked in the favour of one man. Will hardliner Ebrahim Raisi become the next president of Iran? This week, on The West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis takes a look at Iran's presidential elections.

The West Asia Post: Who will be Iran's next President?

Iran is electing its next President. Of the 600+ candidates who wanted to contest, only 4 have managed to run for office. Conservative candidate Ebrahim Raisi is tipped to win. What does this mean for India? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Presidential election in Iran

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei has urged Iranians to vote in the June 18 Presidential election as candidates wrapped up campaigning. Khamenei's plea came as two candidates withdrew from the race leaving five hopefuls in the fray.

Iran Presidential Poll 2021: Two candidates exit race on last day of campaigning

Two days before Iran's presidential election, which is expected to be won by an ultraconservative cleric, two of the seven men vying for the post pulled out of the race on Wednesday.

Conservative lawmaker Alireza Zakani withdrew hours after reformist Mohsen Mehralizadeh had also thrown in the towel ahead of Friday's vote, Iranian media reported.

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Iranians have a choice between five hardliners and a low-key moderate, after clerical officials who vetted the 592 hopefuls registered to enter the contest rejected several prominent moderates and conservatives.

In the Islamic Republic's dual system of republican and clerical rule, the president heads the government but reports to the Supreme Leader, the country's top authority.

It is Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who has the last say on all state matters, including nuclear and foreign policies.

Zakani, 55, was quoted as saying of Raisi to a state television reporter: "I believe him to be qualified and will vote for him, and I hope that fundamental reforms take place in the country with him being elected."

Last-minute withdrawals by candidates, often in return for government postings from the eventual winner, are not uncommon in Iran.

Hours earlier, the former vice president Mehralizadeh, 64, had also pulled out, the IRNA and ISNA news agencies reported without giving a reason.

Mehralizadeh had been one of only two reformists permitted to run to replace President Hassan Rouhani, who has served the maximum two consecutive terms.

Mehralizadeh had been the only candidate to score less than one percent in pre-election voting intentions, according to the ISPA polling institute.

A hardliner is expected to replace&nbsp;Iran's outgoing pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani and reinforce the authority of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country's strongly anti-Western Supreme Leader.

Rouhani, a pragmatist who orchestrated&nbsp;Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, is legally barred from running for a third four-year term.

All&nbsp;Iranians aged over 18 can vote, which means over 59.3 million of&nbsp;Iran's 85 million people are eligible to cast ballots.

But popular anger over economic hardship and curbs on freedoms are set to keep many pro-reform voters at home. Official polls suggest only about 40% of over 59 million eligible&nbsp;Iranians will vote.

Polling opens at 7 am (0230 GMT) on June 18 and ends at midnight (1930 GMT), but can be extended.

All ballots will be counted manually, so the final result may not be announced for three days, although partial results may appear sooner.

If no candidate wins at least 50 percent plus one vote of all ballots cast, including blank ones, a run-off round between the top two candidates is held on the first Friday after the election result is declared.

(With inputs from agencies)

Two days before Iran's presidential election, which is expected to be won by an ultraconservative cleric, two of the seven men vying for the post pulled out of the race on Wednesday.

Two days before Iran's presidential election, which is expected to be won by an ultraconservative cleric, two of the seven men vying for the post pulled out of the race on Wednesday. Conservative lawmaker Alireza Zakani withdrew hours after reformist Mohsen Mehralizadeh had also thrown in the towel ahead of Friday's vote, Iranian media reported. Iranians have a choice between five hardliners and a low-key moderate, after clerical officials who vetted the 592 hopefuls registered to enter the contest rejected several prominent moderates and conservatives. In the Islamic Republic's dual system of republican and clerical rule, the president heads the government but reports to the Supreme Leader, the country's top authority. It is Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who has the last say on all state matters, including nuclear and foreign policies. Zakani, 55, was quoted as saying of Raisi to a state television reporter: "I believe him to be qualified and will vote for him, and I hope that fundamental reforms take place in the country with him being elected." Last-minute withdrawals by candidates, often in return for government postings from the eventual winner, are not uncommon in Iran. Hours earlier, the former vice president Mehralizadeh, 64, had also pulled out, the IRNA and ISNA news agencies reported without giving a reason. Mehralizadeh had been one of only two reformists permitted to run to replace President Hassan Rouhani, who has served the maximum two consecutive terms. Mehralizadeh had been the only candidate to score less than one percent in pre-election voting intentions, according to the ISPA polling institute. A hardliner is expected to replace Iran's outgoing pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani and reinforce the authority of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country's strongly anti-Western Supreme Leader. Rouhani, a pragmatist who orchestrated Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, is legally barred from running for a third four-year term. All Iranians aged over 18 can vote, which means over 59.3 million of Iran's 85 million people are eligible to cast ballots. But popular anger over economic hardship and curbs on freedoms are set to keep many pro-reform voters at home. Official polls suggest only about 40% of over 59 million eligible Iranians will vote. Polling opens at 7 am (0230 GMT) on June 18 and ends at midnight (1930 GMT), but can be extended. All ballots will be counted manually, so the final result may not be announced for three days, although partial results may appear sooner. If no candidate wins at least 50 percent plus one vote of all ballots cast, including blank ones, a run-off round between the top two candidates is held on the first Friday after the election result is declared. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran election: Alireza Zakani and Mohsen Mehralizadeh pull out of presidential race

Supreme leader Ali Khamenei has said that Iran might enrich Uranium up to 60% purity if the country needed to do so, adding that Iran will never yield to American pressure over its nuclear program.

WION Dispatch: Ali Khamenei says Iran may enrich Uranium up to 60%

Ali Khamenei says Iran may enrich Uranium up to 60%

Iran has often been accused of suppressing its women and in a latest, a 19-year-old Instagram influencer is Tehran's latest victim.&nbsp;

Fatemah Khisvand's crime is that she uploaded zombie selfies and was charged for corrupting youngsters' mind and disrespecting the Islamic Republic of Iran.&nbsp;

The 19-year-old, who also goes by the name Sarah Tabar, has been sentenced to ten years imprisonment.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranian-woman-arrested-for-posting-zombie-like-images-charged-for-blasphemy-349344">Iranian woman arrested for posting 'Zombie-like' images; charged for blasphemy</a>

The photos that were uploaded by this model resembled Angelina Jolie and brought a lot of fame for her. About 500,000 people began following her.&nbsp;

She was 18 years old when she was arrested in 2019 and blasphemy, inciting violence, gaining income through appropriate means and corrupting young minds were the charges against her.&nbsp;

The Iranian media called the teenager a mentally disabled person seeking vulgarity.&nbsp;

Ironically, marital rape, failing to ensure women safety, forcing a dress code on women, normalising physical abuse is not vulgar for Iran.

Iran finds itself in the list of only six member states of UN that has not signed the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-iran-jails-19-year-old-influencer-349802">WATCH|</a>

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In 1979, the Islamic Republic replaced Iran's Pahlavi dynasty and the priority of the nation's first supreme leader was to cancel the minimum age for marriage.

In 2017-18, 35,333 girls were married in Iran and 217 out of them were under 10 years.&nbsp;

The first supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini also lifted all restrictions on polygamy.&nbsp;

On International Women's Day that year, the supreme leader's had a unique gift for women in govt jobs, ''wear a veil or stay at home".&nbsp;

Nothing has changed, when his successor Ali Khomeini took over and it was not until 2018 that he allowed women into sporting arenas.&nbsp;

The ban was lifted at the expense of Sahar Khodayari's death and a threat by FIFA.&nbsp;

Culture is Iran's favourite weapon on its war against women and it throws it whenever it wants to justify repression on females.&nbsp;

The Instagram model's popularity, liberation was so threatening for Tehran that she was branded as a criminal.&nbsp;

She now faces 10 years in jail, a price for trying to live her life the way she desired in Iran. &nbsp;

Iran has often been accused of suppressing its women and in a latest, a 19-year-old Instagram influencer is Tehran's latest victim. Fatemah Khisvand's crime is that she uploaded zombie selfies and was charged for corrupting youngsters' mind and disrespecting the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iran has often been accused of suppressing its women and in a latest, a 19-year-old Instagram influencer is Tehran's latest victim. Fatemah Khisvand's crime is that she uploaded zombie selfies and was charged for corrupting youngsters' mind and disrespecting the Islamic Republic of Iran. The 19-year-old, who also goes by the name Sarah Tabar, has been sentenced to ten years imprisonment. Also read | Iranian woman arrested for posting 'Zombie-like' images; charged for blasphemy The photos that were uploaded by this model resembled Angelina Jolie and brought a lot of fame for her. About 500,000 people began following her. She was 18 years old when she was arrested in 2019 and blasphemy, inciting violence, gaining income through appropriate means and corrupting young minds were the charges against her. The Iranian media called the teenager a mentally disabled person seeking vulgarity. Ironically, marital rape, failing to ensure women safety, forcing a dress code on women, normalising physical abuse is not vulgar for Iran. Iran finds itself in the list of only six member states of UN that has not signed the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. WATCH| × In 1979, the Islamic Republic replaced Iran's Pahlavi dynasty and the priority of the nation's first supreme leader was to cancel the minimum age for marriage. In 2017-18, 35,333 girls were married in Iran and 217 out of them were under 10 years. The first supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini also lifted all restrictions on polygamy. On International Women's Day that year, the supreme leader's had a unique gift for women in govt jobs, ''wear a veil or stay at home". Nothing has changed, when his successor Ali Khomeini took over and it was not until 2018 that he allowed women into sporting arenas. The ban was lifted at the expense of Sahar Khodayari's death and a threat by FIFA. Culture is Iran's favourite weapon on its war against women and it throws it whenever it wants to justify repression on females. The Instagram model's popularity, liberation was so threatening for Tehran that she was branded as a criminal. She now faces 10 years in jail, a price for trying to live her life the way she desired in Iran.

How an Instagram model got stuck in Iran's 'cultural' war

Iran on Friday warned US President Donald Trump on Friday against taking "dangerous actions" after Washington carried out a series of air strikes that targetted Iran-backed militia group in Iraq.&nbsp;

Five security personnel and one civilian were killed in strikes, Iraqi military said.&nbsp;

"The United States cannot blame others... for the consequences of its illegal presence in Iraq and the nation's reaction to the assassination and killing of Iraqi commanders and fighters," said Abbas Mousavi, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/east-syria-strike-kills-26-iraqi-fighters-monitor-285947">East Syria strike kills 26 Iraqi fighters: Monitor</a>

"Instead of dangerous actions and baseless accusations, Mr Trump should reconsider the presence and behaviour of his troops in the area," he said.&nbsp;

Earlier today, Pentagon confirmed that US had launched strikes against the Kataeb Hezbollah armed group.&nbsp;

Washington said the strikes targetted five weapons storage facilities across Iraq.

Iraqi military said that the strikes hit four locations in Iraq that housed formal Iraqi police and military units, in addition to the paramilitary forces.&nbsp;The US military did not comment on how many people have been killed in the strikes.&nbsp;

In a statement, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that the US is prepared to respond again if needed.&nbsp;

"We will take any action necessary to protect our forces in Iraq and the region," Esper said.

The air strikes were the response from US military following Wednesday's attack in Iraq, in which militants launched dozens of 107 mm Katyusha rockets from a truck, targetting Iraq's Taji military camp north of Baghdad.

One British and two US military personnel were killed in attack.&nbsp;

It was the third time in recent months the US military carried out an assault against Kataeb Hezbollah. In December, more than two dozen of its militants were killed when Washington responded to an attack on an Iraqi base that killed a US contractor.

Also, in the same drone strike that assassinated high profile Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, Kataeb Hezbollah founder Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed.&nbsp;

(with inputs from AFP and Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Iran on Friday warned US President Donald Trump on Friday against taking "dangerous actions" after Washington carried out a series of air strikes that targetted Iran-backed militia group in Iraq.

Iran on Friday warned US President Donald Trump on Friday against taking "dangerous actions" after Washington carried out a series of air strikes that targetted Iran-backed militia group in Iraq. Five security personnel and one civilian were killed in strikes, Iraqi military said. "The United States cannot blame others... for the consequences of its illegal presence in Iraq and the nation's reaction to the assassination and killing of Iraqi commanders and fighters," said Abbas Mousavi, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman. Also read: East Syria strike kills 26 Iraqi fighters: Monitor "Instead of dangerous actions and baseless accusations, Mr Trump should reconsider the presence and behaviour of his troops in the area," he said. Earlier today, Pentagon confirmed that US had launched strikes against the Kataeb Hezbollah armed group. Washington said the strikes targetted five weapons storage facilities across Iraq. Iraqi military said that the strikes hit four locations in Iraq that housed formal Iraqi police and military units, in addition to the paramilitary forces. The US military did not comment on how many people have been killed in the strikes. In a statement, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that the US is prepared to respond again if needed. "We will take any action necessary to protect our forces in Iraq and the region," Esper said. The air strikes were the response from US military following Wednesday's attack in Iraq, in which militants launched dozens of 107 mm Katyusha rockets from a truck, targetting Iraq's Taji military camp north of Baghdad. One British and two US military personnel were killed in attack. It was the third time in recent months the US military carried out an assault against Kataeb Hezbollah. In December, more than two dozen of its militants were killed when Washington responded to an attack on an Iraqi base that killed a US contractor. Also, in the same drone strike that assassinated high profile Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, Kataeb Hezbollah founder Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed. (with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

Iran warns Donald Trump after US carried air strikes in Iraq

The voting for parliamentary polls in Iran began today. Iran elections come at a time when the Islamic Republic is most vulnerable, both from the inside and from the outside. American sanctions have crippled the economy and public anger against the regime has raged on unabated.

Voting begins for Iran's parliamentary polls, 7,148 candidates in the race

How close is Iran to producing a nuclear bomb?

The Supreme Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took it upon himself to convey a vigorous defense of his military forces after they shot down a civilian plane. He portrays his country as united amid crisis, and rail against the Trump administration as "clowns" trying to deceive the Iranian people.

WION Dispatch: Iranian Supreme leader hits out at US, calls Trump 'clown'

Iranian protesters and newspapers&nbsp;piled&nbsp;pressure&nbsp;on the country's leadership and riot police stepped up their presence in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-foreign-minister-to-visit-iran-saudi-arabia-to-discuss-developments-in-middle-east-273726">Tehran</a> on Sunday&nbsp;after&nbsp;Iran's military admitted that it had mistakenly shot down a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-airplane-brought-down-due-to-human-error-iran-273506">Ukrainian airliner</a>.

Riot police fired teargas at thousands of&nbsp;Iranians who had taken to the streets late on Saturday in the capital and other cities, many chanting "Death to the dictator", directing their anger at&nbsp;Iran's top authority, Supreme Leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-warns-iran-against-massacre-as-protests-erupt-over-downing-of-ukrainian-airplane-273670">Ali Khamenei</a>.

Reports of the&nbsp;protests&nbsp;were carried by state-affiliated news agencies, while video clips circulated on social media.

Tehran residents told reporters&nbsp;that police had stepped up their presence in the capital on Sunday morning.

Watch:&nbsp;Protesters condemn government over its initial denial of downing Ukrainian plane

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"Apologise and resign,"&nbsp;Iran's moderate Etemad daily wrote in a banner headline on Sunday, saying the "people's demand" was for those responsible for mishandling the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;crisis to quit.

All 176 people aboard the flight, many of them&nbsp;Iranians with dual citizenship, were killed.

Protests&nbsp;erupted&nbsp;after&nbsp;Saturday's&nbsp;admission&nbsp;that the military accidentally shot down the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-demands-punishment-compensation-for-airliner-downed-by-iran-273583">Ukraine International Airlines</a>&nbsp;plane&nbsp;minutes&nbsp;after&nbsp;takeoff on Wednesday when&nbsp;Iranian forces were alert for US&nbsp;reprisals&nbsp;after&nbsp;tit-for-tat&nbsp;strikes.

For days,&nbsp;Iranian officials had vigorously denied it was to blame, even as Canada, which had 57 citizens on the flight, and the United States said their intelligence indicated an&nbsp;Iranian missile was to blame, albeit probably fired in error.

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The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake. 
 
My thoughts and prayers go to all the mourning families. I offer my sincerest condolences. <a href="https://t.co/4dkePxupzm">https://t.co/4dkePxupzm</a>
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) <a href="https://twitter.com/HassanRouhani/status/1215856679423823872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Iran's president said it was a "disastrous mistake" and apologised. But a top Revolutionary Guards commander added to public anger about the delayed&nbsp;admission when he said he had told the authorities a missile hit the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;the day it crashed.

Another moderate daily Jomhuri-ye Eslami, or the Islamic Republic, wrote in an editorial: "Those who delayed publishing the reason behind the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;crash and damaged people's trust in the establishment should be dismissed or should resign."

Criticism of the authorities in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;is not unusual, but it tends to stay in narrow boundaries.

The press attacks and&nbsp;protests&nbsp;add to challenges facing the establishment, which in November faced the country's bloodiest unrest since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

As Saturday's&nbsp;protests&nbsp;spread across&nbsp;Iran, including major cities such as Shiraz, Isfahan, Hamedan and Orumiyeh, US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-warns-iran-against-massacre-as-protests-erupt-over-downing-of-ukrainian-airplane-273670">Donald Trump</a> said on Twitter: "We are following your&nbsp;protests&nbsp;closely, and are inspired by your courage."

"There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching," he said, posting his tweets in both Farsi and English.

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The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and report facts from the ground on the ongoing protests by the Iranian people. There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1216120362230067202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Britain said its ambassador in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;had been briefly detained on Saturday by the authorities in Tehran. A news agency said he was detained outside a university for inciting&nbsp;protests.

Condemning the arrest, British Foreign Secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-denounces-brief-arrest-of-envoy-in-tehran-as-violation-of-law-273690">Dominic Raab</a> said&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;"can continue its march towards pariah status&nbsp;or take steps to de-escalate tensions and engage in a diplomatic path forwards."

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Foreign Secretary <a href="https://twitter.com/DominicRaab?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DominicRaab</a> calls brief detention of <a href="https://twitter.com/HMATehran?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HMATehran</a> a “flagrant violation of international law.” Full statement: <a href="https://t.co/bcx5dYInUb">https://t.co/bcx5dYInUb</a>
— Foreign Office 🇬🇧 (@foreignoffice) <a href="https://twitter.com/foreignoffice/status/1216114167888912385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Protests&nbsp;inside&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;followed a build-up of tension between&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;and the United States, which withdrew from Tehran's nuclear pact with world powers in 2018 and then re-imposed sanctions that have steadily crippled the&nbsp;Iranian economy.

On January&nbsp;3, a US&nbsp;drone&nbsp;strike&nbsp;in Iraq killed prominent&nbsp;Iranian commander <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-general-soleimanis-killing-was-self-defense-us-ambassador-kelly-craft-to-un-273117">Qasem Soleimani</a>, responsible for building up&nbsp;Iran's network of regional proxy armies in Iraq and beyond, and Tehran responded with missile&nbsp;strikes on US&nbsp;targets in Iraq.

No US&nbsp;soldiers were killed, but in the tense hours&nbsp;after&nbsp;that, the Ukrainian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-airplane-brought-down-due-to-human-error-iran-273506">Boeing 737</a> was cleared to take off from Tehran airport and then brought down by a missile fired in error by an operator who mistook the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;for an attacker.

<img alt="Relatives of the flight crew members of the plane that crashed in Iran, mourn at a memorial at the Boryspil International airport outside Kiev, Ukraine " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="93f67be6-2401-4cdf-a0e8-7eef59ffee84" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%286%29_8.jpg" /> 
[ Relatives of the flight crew members of the plane that crashed in Iran, mourn at a memorial at the Boryspil International airport outside Kiev, Ukraine&nbsp;(Courtesy: Reuters) ]

"Shooting down a civilian aircraft is horrific.&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;must take full responsibility," Canadian Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ottawa-lowers-canadian-death-toll-in-iran-air-crash-to-57-273604">Justin Trudeau</a> said.

Trudeau said&nbsp;Iranian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-probably-planning-to-attack-four-us-embassies-donald-trump-273535">Hassan Rouhani</a> had committed to collaborating with Canadian investigators, working to de-escalate tensions in the region and continuing dialogue.

Rallying to the establishment,&nbsp;Iranian lawmakers praised the elite force's commanders for courage in admitting the error, according to Fars, a news agency seen as close to the Guards, a parallel military set up to protect the theocratic system.

Iranian officials sought to portray the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;disaster as a second blow to a mourning nation&nbsp;after&nbsp;Soleimani's death in a US&nbsp;drone&nbsp;strike.

Soleimani's funeral had prompted huge public gatherings, which the authorities described 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.

Public fury at&nbsp;Iran's authorities had grown as questions about the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;crash mounted.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-warns-iran-nuclear-deal-may-collapse-273585">Iranians</a> on social media asked why officials were busy fending off criticism from abroad rather than sympathising with grieving families. Others asked why the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;was allowed to take off at a time of high tension.

Iranian protesters and newspapers piled pressure on the country's leadership and riot police stepped up their presence in Tehran on Sunday after Iran's military admitted that it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian airliner.

Iranian protesters and newspapers piled pressure on the country's leadership and riot police stepped up their presence in Tehran on Sunday after Iran's military admitted that it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian airliner. Riot police fired teargas at thousands of Iranians who had taken to the streets late on Saturday in the capital and other cities, many chanting "Death to the dictator", directing their anger at Iran's top authority, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Reports of the protests were carried by state-affiliated news agencies, while video clips circulated on social media. Tehran residents told reporters that police had stepped up their presence in the capital on Sunday morning. Watch: Protesters condemn government over its initial denial of downing Ukrainian plane × "Apologise and resign," Iran's moderate Etemad daily wrote in a banner headline on Sunday, saying the "people's demand" was for those responsible for mishandling the plane crisis to quit. All 176 people aboard the flight, many of them Iranians with dual citizenship, were killed. Protests erupted after Saturday's admission that the military accidentally shot down the Ukraine International Airlines plane minutes after takeoff on Wednesday when Iranian forces were alert for US reprisals after tit-for-tat strikes. For days, Iranian officials had vigorously denied it was to blame, even as Canada, which had 57 citizens on the flight, and the United States said their intelligence indicated an Iranian missile was to blame, albeit probably fired in error. The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake. My thoughts and prayers go to all the mourning families. I offer my sincerest condolences. https://t.co/4dkePxupzm — Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) January 11, 2020 × Iran's president said it was a "disastrous mistake" and apologised. But a top Revolutionary Guards commander added to public anger about the delayed admission when he said he had told the authorities a missile hit the plane the day it crashed. Another moderate daily Jomhuri-ye Eslami, or the Islamic Republic, wrote in an editorial: "Those who delayed publishing the reason behind the plane crash and damaged people's trust in the establishment should be dismissed or should resign." Criticism of the authorities in Iran is not unusual, but it tends to stay in narrow boundaries. The press attacks and protests add to challenges facing the establishment, which in November faced the country's bloodiest unrest since the 1979 Islamic revolution. As Saturday's protests spread across Iran, including major cities such as Shiraz, Isfahan, Hamedan and Orumiyeh, US President Donald Trump said on Twitter: "We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage." "There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching," he said, posting his tweets in both Farsi and English. The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and report facts from the ground on the ongoing protests by the Iranian people. There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2020 × Britain said its ambassador in Iran had been briefly detained on Saturday by the authorities in Tehran. A news agency said he was detained outside a university for inciting protests. Condemning the arrest, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Iran "can continue its march towards pariah status or take steps to de-escalate tensions and engage in a diplomatic path forwards." Foreign Secretary @DominicRaab calls brief detention of @HMATehran a “flagrant violation of international law.” Full statement: https://t.co/bcx5dYInUb — Foreign Office 🇬🇧 (@foreignoffice) January 11, 2020 × Protests inside Iran followed a build-up of tension between Iran and the United States, which withdrew from Tehran's nuclear pact with world powers in 2018 and then re-imposed sanctions that have steadily crippled the Iranian economy. On January 3, a US drone strike in Iraq killed prominent Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, responsible for building up Iran's network of regional proxy armies in Iraq and beyond, and Tehran responded with missile strikes on US targets in Iraq. No US soldiers were killed, but in the tense hours after that, the Ukrainian Boeing 737 was cleared to take off from Tehran airport and then brought down by a missile fired in error by an operator who mistook the plane for an attacker. [ Relatives of the flight crew members of the plane that crashed in Iran, mourn at a memorial at the Boryspil International airport outside Kiev, Ukraine (Courtesy: Reuters) ] "Shooting down a civilian aircraft is horrific. Iran must take full responsibility," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. Trudeau said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had committed to collaborating with Canadian investigators, working to de-escalate tensions in the region and continuing dialogue. Rallying to the establishment, Iranian lawmakers praised the elite force's commanders for courage in admitting the error, according to Fars, a news agency seen as close to the Guards, a parallel military set up to protect the theocratic system. Iranian officials sought to portray the plane disaster as a second blow to a mourning nation after Soleimani's death in a US drone strike. Soleimani's funeral had prompted huge public gatherings, which the authorities described 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. Public fury at Iran's authorities had grown as questions about the plane crash mounted. Iranians on social media asked why officials were busy fending off criticism from abroad rather than sympathising with grieving families. Others asked why the plane was allowed to take off at a time of high tension.

Iranians step up protests after Tehran's admission that it shot down Ukrainian airliner

Washington&nbsp;on Friday spurned an&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;request to prepare to pull out its&nbsp;troops, amid heightened US-Iranian tensions after the US&nbsp;killing of an Iranian commander in Baghdad and said it was exploring a possible expansion of NATO's presence there.

Seeking to tighten pressure on its foe, the United States meanwhile imposed more sanctions on Iran, responding to an attack on US&nbsp;troops&nbsp;in Iraq launched by Tehran in retaliation for the death of General <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-asks-us-to-send-delegation-and-set-up-mechanism-for-troop-pullout-273491">Qasem Soleimani</a>.

Iraq could bear the brunt of any further violence between its neighbour Iran and the United States, its leaders caught in a bind as&nbsp;Washington&nbsp;and Tehran are also the&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;government's main allies and vie for influence there.

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-of-representatives-curbs-trumps-war-power-amid-iran-tensions-273283">Donald Trump</a> said Iran had probably planned to attack the US&nbsp;embassy in Baghdad and was aiming to strike four US&nbsp;embassies when Soleimani was killed in a US&nbsp;drone strike.

"We will tell you probably it was going to be the embassy in Baghdad," Trump said in a clip of an interview with Fox News. "I can reveal that I believe it would have been four embassies."

Iraqi&nbsp;Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/defense-chief-esper-denies-us-troop-pullout-from-iraq-after-leaked-letter-confusion-272596">Adel Abdul Mahdi</a> made his request for preparations for a US&nbsp;troop withdrawal in a phone&nbsp;call&nbsp;with US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday in line with a vote in Iraq's parliament last week, his office said.

Abdul Mahdi asked Pompeo to "send delegates to put in place the tools to carry out the parliament's decision," his office said in a statement, adding that the forces used in the killing had entered Iraq or used its airspace without permission.

The State Department said any US&nbsp;delegation would not discuss the withdrawal of US&nbsp;troops&nbsp;as their presence in Iraq was "appropriate."

"There does, however, need to be a conversation between the US&nbsp;and&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;governments not just regarding security, but about our financial, economic, and diplomatic partnership," spokeswoman <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/placating-turkey-trump-admin-says-doesnt-recognise-armenian-genocide-268796">Morgan Ortagus</a> said in a statement.

Trump said in the Fox News interview that if Iraq wanted the United States to leave, he would tell them: "You have to pay us for the money we put in."

He said the United States has $35 billion of Iraq's money "sitting in an account."

"I think they'll agree to pay. Otherwise, we'll stay there," Trump said.

Pompeo told reporters a NATO delegation was in&nbsp;Washington&nbsp;on Friday to discuss the future of the Iraq mission and a plan to "get burden-sharing right in the region".

Separately, the State Department said Pompeo had discussed Iran with Canadian Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-under-pressure-at-home-over-plane-crash-warns-iran-world-is-watching-273502">Francois‑Philippe Champagne</a> as well as "the opportunity for an expanded NATO force in Iraq and appropriate burden-sharing".

The latest flare-up in the long covert war between Iran and the United States began with the US&nbsp;killing of Soleimani, Iran's top general, in a drone strike on January&nbsp;3. Iran responded on Wednesday by firing missiles at US&nbsp;forces in Iraq.

In the aftermath, both sides backed off from intensifying the conflict but the region remains tense.

Iraq's top Shiite Muslim cleric condemned the US-Iranian struggle happening on&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;soil, saying it risked plunging his country and the wider Middle East into deeper conflict.

Grand <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-killing-of-qasem-soleimani-will-lead-to-the-strengthening-of-iranian-hardliners-272109">Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani</a> said it was&nbsp;Iraqis who stood to suffer most from the US-Iranian conflict. In a message delivered through a representative at Friday prayers in the holy city of Kerbala, Sistani said no foreign powers should be allowed to decide Iraq's fate.

"The latest dangerous aggressive acts, which are repeated violations of&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;sovereignty, are a part of the deteriorating situation" in the region, Sistani said. "Iraq must govern itself and there must be no role for outsiders in its decision-making."

Iraq has suffered decades of war, sanctions and sectarian conflict, including the US-led invasion of 2003.

At Friday prayers in Tehran, mid-ranking Iranian cleric Mohammad Javad Haj Aliakbari said US&nbsp;interests across the world were now exposed to threats.

Since Soleimani's killing, Tehran has stepped up its&nbsp;calls for US&nbsp;forces to leave Iraq, which like Iran is a mainly Shiite Muslim nation. Iranian Supreme Leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-missile-attack-news-iran-appears-to-be-standing-down-says-trump-273124">Ali Khamenei</a> has said the retaliatory strikes were not enough and that ending the US&nbsp;military presence in the region was Tehran's main goal.

Critics have&nbsp;called Soleimani's killing a reckless action.

But Pompeo said on Friday&nbsp;Washington&nbsp;had specific information about an imminent Iranian threat including to US&nbsp;embassies, adding: "American lives were at risk."

As part of his most recent activities in Iraq, Soleimani had encouraged pro-Iranian&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;militias to quash months of protests by&nbsp;Iraqis opposed to the influence in their country of foreign powers such as Iran and the United States.

In&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;cities, demonstrators took to the streets again on Friday, determined to keep up the momentum of their protests despite attention turning to the threat of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-iran-can-india-play-peacemaker-273348">US-Iran conflict</a>.

Gunmen killed two local journalists covering protests in the southern city of Basra, security sources and state media said. Ahmed Abdulsamad, Basra correspondent of Dijla TV station owned by senior Sunni politician Mohammed al-Karbouli, as killed immediately while his camera operator succumbed to his wounds in hospital, a medical source told reporters.

"Politicians and clerics are either with Iran, the US&nbsp;or other countries. Our allegiance is to Iraq only, not to factions and politicians," said Essam Faraj, 54, a demonstrator in Baghdad.

Washington on Friday spurned an Iraqi request to prepare to pull out its troops, amid heightened US-Iranian tensions after the US killing of an Iranian commander in Baghdad and said it was exploring a possible expansion of NATO's presence there.

Washington on Friday spurned an Iraqi request to prepare to pull out its troops, amid heightened US-Iranian tensions after the US killing of an Iranian commander in Baghdad and said it was exploring a possible expansion of NATO's presence there. Seeking to tighten pressure on its foe, the United States meanwhile imposed more sanctions on Iran, responding to an attack on US troops in Iraq launched by Tehran in retaliation for the death of General Qasem Soleimani. Iraq could bear the brunt of any further violence between its neighbour Iran and the United States, its leaders caught in a bind as Washington and Tehran are also the Iraqi government's main allies and vie for influence there. President Donald Trump said Iran had probably planned to attack the US embassy in Baghdad and was aiming to strike four US embassies when Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike. "We will tell you probably it was going to be the embassy in Baghdad," Trump said in a clip of an interview with Fox News. "I can reveal that I believe it would have been four embassies." Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi made his request for preparations for a US troop withdrawal in a phone call with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday in line with a vote in Iraq's parliament last week, his office said. Abdul Mahdi asked Pompeo to "send delegates to put in place the tools to carry out the parliament's decision," his office said in a statement, adding that the forces used in the killing had entered Iraq or used its airspace without permission. The State Department said any US delegation would not discuss the withdrawal of US troops as their presence in Iraq was "appropriate." "There does, however, need to be a conversation between the US and Iraqi governments not just regarding security, but about our financial, economic, and diplomatic partnership," spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. Trump said in the Fox News interview that if Iraq wanted the United States to leave, he would tell them: "You have to pay us for the money we put in." He said the United States has $35 billion of Iraq's money "sitting in an account." "I think they'll agree to pay. Otherwise, we'll stay there," Trump said. Pompeo told reporters a NATO delegation was in Washington on Friday to discuss the future of the Iraq mission and a plan to "get burden-sharing right in the region". Separately, the State Department said Pompeo had discussed Iran with Canadian Foreign Minister Francois‑Philippe Champagne as well as "the opportunity for an expanded NATO force in Iraq and appropriate burden-sharing". The latest flare-up in the long covert war between Iran and the United States began with the US killing of Soleimani, Iran's top general, in a drone strike on January 3. Iran responded on Wednesday by firing missiles at US forces in Iraq. In the aftermath, both sides backed off from intensifying the conflict but the region remains tense. Iraq's top Shiite Muslim cleric condemned the US-Iranian struggle happening on Iraqi soil, saying it risked plunging his country and the wider Middle East into deeper conflict. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said it was Iraqis who stood to suffer most from the US-Iranian conflict. In a message delivered through a representative at Friday prayers in the holy city of Kerbala, Sistani said no foreign powers should be allowed to decide Iraq's fate. "The latest dangerous aggressive acts, which are repeated violations of Iraqi sovereignty, are a part of the deteriorating situation" in the region, Sistani said. "Iraq must govern itself and there must be no role for outsiders in its decision-making." Iraq has suffered decades of war, sanctions and sectarian conflict, including the US-led invasion of 2003. At Friday prayers in Tehran, mid-ranking Iranian cleric Mohammad Javad Haj Aliakbari said US interests across the world were now exposed to threats. Since Soleimani's killing, Tehran has stepped up its calls for US forces to leave Iraq, which like Iran is a mainly Shiite Muslim nation. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has said the retaliatory strikes were not enough and that ending the US military presence in the region was Tehran's main goal. Critics have called Soleimani's killing a reckless action. But Pompeo said on Friday Washington had specific information about an imminent Iranian threat including to US embassies, adding: "American lives were at risk." As part of his most recent activities in Iraq, Soleimani had encouraged pro-Iranian Iraqi militias to quash months of protests by Iraqis opposed to the influence in their country of foreign powers such as Iran and the United States. In Iraqi cities, demonstrators took to the streets again on Friday, determined to keep up the momentum of their protests despite attention turning to the threat of a US-Iran conflict. Gunmen killed two local journalists covering protests in the southern city of Basra, security sources and state media said. Ahmed Abdulsamad, Basra correspondent of Dijla TV station owned by senior Sunni politician Mohammed al-Karbouli, as killed immediately while his camera operator succumbed to his wounds in hospital, a medical source told reporters. "Politicians and clerics are either with Iran, the US or other countries. Our allegiance is to Iraq only, not to factions and politicians," said Essam Faraj, 54, a demonstrator in Baghdad.

US-Iran tensions escalate as Washington refuses Tehran's request to remove troops

Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded to Trump's warnings on Sunday in a tweet, saying that targetting country's cultural sites would be a "war crime".&nbsp;

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-Having committed grave breaches of int'l law in Friday's cowardly assassinations, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realdonaldtrump</a> threatens to commit again new breaches of JUS COGENS; 
 
-Targeting cultural sites is a WAR CRIME; 
 
-Whether kicking or screaming, end of US malign presence in West Asia has begun.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) <a href="https://twitter.com/JZarif/status/1213742809095770113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The comments came after Trump tweeted early on Sunday where he warned Iran that US would target Iran's 52 sites if they killed any American.&nbsp;

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....hundreds of Iranian protesters. He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1213593974679769093?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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....targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level &amp; important to Iran &amp; the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The USA wants no more threats!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1213593975732527112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Iran "will be hit very fast and very hard," Trump said in a tweet.&nbsp;

The tensions between Iran and the US rose after the killing of Soleimani, former chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force. Concerns of war were also raised after the US drone strike that killed Soleimani and Iraq's paramilitary chief.&nbsp;

Iran's army chief General Abdolrahim Mousavi also said on Sunday that US lacked the "courage" to initiate a conflict.&nbsp;

"I doubt they have the courage to initiate," Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi said, reported by state news agency IRNA.&nbsp;

Earlier today, thousands of mourners cried, beat their chests as they paid respect to&nbsp;Soleimani after his last remains reached Iran.

In the southwestern city of Ahvaz, men and women shouted "Death to America" and carried portraits of the commander.

It is expected that the last remains of Soleimani, who was much-revered in the region&nbsp;will reach Iraqi capital Tehran in the evening. The funeral fo former commander will be done in his hometown Kerman on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Earlier, Iran's supreme commander Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed of "severe revenge" after the killing of former commander.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded to Trump's warnings on Sunday in a tweet, saying that targetting country's cultural sites would be a "war crime".

Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded to Trump's warnings on Sunday in a tweet, saying that targetting country's cultural sites would be a "war crime". -Having committed grave breaches of int'l law in Friday's cowardly assassinations, @realdonaldtrump threatens to commit again new breaches of JUS COGENS; -Targeting cultural sites is a WAR CRIME; -Whether kicking or screaming, end of US malign presence in West Asia has begun. — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 5, 2020 × The comments came after Trump tweeted early on Sunday where he warned Iran that US would target Iran's 52 sites if they killed any American. ....hundreds of Iranian protesters. He was already attacking our Embassy, and preparing for additional hits in other locations. Iran has been nothing but problems for many years. Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2020 × ....targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The USA wants no more threats! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2020 × Iran "will be hit very fast and very hard," Trump said in a tweet. The tensions between Iran and the US rose after the killing of Soleimani, former chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force. Concerns of war were also raised after the US drone strike that killed Soleimani and Iraq's paramilitary chief. Iran's army chief General Abdolrahim Mousavi also said on Sunday that US lacked the "courage" to initiate a conflict. "I doubt they have the courage to initiate," Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi said, reported by state news agency IRNA. Earlier today, thousands of mourners cried, beat their chests as they paid respect to Soleimani after his last remains reached Iran. In the southwestern city of Ahvaz, men and women shouted "Death to America" and carried portraits of the commander. It is expected that the last remains of Soleimani, who was much-revered in the region will reach Iraqi capital Tehran in the evening. The funeral fo former commander will be done in his hometown Kerman on Tuesday. Earlier, Iran's supreme commander Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed of "severe revenge" after the killing of former commander.

It will be a 'war crime' if US attacks Iran's cultural sites: Foreign minister Zarif

Iran will respond to the United States killing of Iranian Quds force chief Qassem Soleimani "any time and in any manner", Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday (January 3).

Soleimani, a 62-year-old general who headed the overseas arm of the Revolutionary Guards, was regarded as the second most powerful figure in Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-qasem-soleimani-271974">Who is Qasem Soleimani?</a>

The commander was killed in an overnight air strike on a car convoy near Baghdad International Airport.

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the strike aimed to disrupt an "imminent attack" that would have endangered Americans in the Middle East. Democratic critics called the Republican president reckless and said he had raised the risk of more violence in a dangerous region.

Speaking on State TV, Zarif said "we will not be involved in the US' smear campaigns and their blackmailing. We will give a proper response in any manner and time, we will, as stated by the Supreme Leader."

Khamenei earlier said harsh revenge awaited the "criminals" who killed Soleimani and his death would redouble resistance against the United States and Israel. He called for three days of national mourning. 
&nbsp;

Iran will respond to the United States killing of Iranian Quds force chief Qassem Soleimani "any time and in any manner", Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday (January 3).

Iran will respond to the United States killing of Iranian Quds force chief Qassem Soleimani "any time and in any manner", Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday (January 3). Soleimani, a 62-year-old general who headed the overseas arm of the Revolutionary Guards, was regarded as the second most powerful figure in Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Also read: Who is Qasem Soleimani? The commander was killed in an overnight air strike on a car convoy near Baghdad International Airport. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the strike aimed to disrupt an "imminent attack" that would have endangered Americans in the Middle East. Democratic critics called the Republican president reckless and said he had raised the risk of more violence in a dangerous region. Speaking on State TV, Zarif said "we will not be involved in the US' smear campaigns and their blackmailing. We will give a proper response in any manner and time, we will, as stated by the Supreme Leader." Khamenei earlier said harsh revenge awaited the "criminals" who killed Soleimani and his death would redouble resistance against the United States and Israel. He called for three days of national mourning.

Iran will respond to Soleimani killing 'any time, in any manner': Foreign Minister Zarif

Sentiments of sadness, revenge were seen on the streets of the Iraqi capital Baghdad as they bid adieu to Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani who was killed on Friday in US drone attack.&nbsp;

Soleimani, the leader of Quds Force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards', was a much-revered figure in the region. He was killed yesterday along with nine others in a pre-dawn attack on Baghdad international airport, including Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/qasem-soleimanis-killing-what-options-does-iran-have-to-avenge-top-commanders-assassination-272107">Qasem Soleimani's killing: What options does Iran have to avenge top commander's assassination</a>
<img alt="Qasem Soleimani funeral" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="21cd5f50-8ac9-4892-afe6-9caa447658dd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WZ4sW59C.jpg" />
Iraqi political leaders, including caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi and clerics, attended the mass procession to honour the slain commander. &nbsp;

The coffins were first brought to Shiite shrine in northern Baghdad. The mourners chanted "Death to America!" and called for "revenge".

The mourners were dressed in black clothes and carried portraits of Iranian and Iraqi leaders.&nbsp;
<img alt="Qasem Soleimani funeral" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dcc57dc0-1275-477e-ac36-9d8717fe393a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/VIw22Cbm.jpg" />
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-pompeo-accuses-europeans-of-not-being-helpful-after-us-strikes-272098">Soleimani killing: US reaches out to allies, Pompeo says Europeans aren't being 'helpful'</a>

The crowd went near the Green Zone, the high-security district which includes government offices and foreign embassies, including America's.&nbsp;

The remains will be taken to Shiite holy city of Najaf before reaching Iran, which has declared three days of mourning.&nbsp;

Earlier most of the countries asked all parties to act with restraint even though, the drone strike was praised by US-ally Israel.&nbsp;

"This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint. The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf," UN chief said.&nbsp;

The Iraqi prime minister also said that US action would "spark a devastating war".

However, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened "severe revenge" for the US-action, and vowed that "God willing, his work and his path will not be stopped".&nbsp;

The US, on the other hand, is approaching allies of Middle East and elsewhere to gather support. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, said that he Europeans were not as "helpful" as they could be after the drone strike.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Sentiments of sadness, revenge were seen on the streets of the Iraqi capital Baghdad as they bid adieu to Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani who was killed on Friday in US drone attack.

Sentiments of sadness, revenge were seen on the streets of the Iraqi capital Baghdad as they bid adieu to Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani who was killed on Friday in US drone attack. Soleimani, the leader of Quds Force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards', was a much-revered figure in the region. He was killed yesterday along with nine others in a pre-dawn attack on Baghdad international airport, including Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Also read: Qasem Soleimani's killing: What options does Iran have to avenge top commander's assassination Iraqi political leaders, including caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi and clerics, attended the mass procession to honour the slain commander. The coffins were first brought to Shiite shrine in northern Baghdad. The mourners chanted "Death to America!" and called for "revenge". The mourners were dressed in black clothes and carried portraits of Iranian and Iraqi leaders. Also read: Soleimani killing: US reaches out to allies, Pompeo says Europeans aren't being 'helpful' The crowd went near the Green Zone, the high-security district which includes government offices and foreign embassies, including America's. The remains will be taken to Shiite holy city of Najaf before reaching Iran, which has declared three days of mourning. Earlier most of the countries asked all parties to act with restraint even though, the drone strike was praised by US-ally Israel. "This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint. The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf," UN chief said. The Iraqi prime minister also said that US action would "spark a devastating war". However, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened "severe revenge" for the US-action, and vowed that "God willing, his work and his path will not be stopped". The US, on the other hand, is approaching allies of Middle East and elsewhere to gather support. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, said that he Europeans were not as "helpful" as they could be after the drone strike.

Chants of 'Death to America' as Iraqis mourn death of Iranian commander Soleimani

On Friday, Iran's supreme leader announced that Esmail Qaani would be the leader of the Quds Force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' after the killing of former commander Qasem Soleimani in a US airstrike in Baghdad.&nbsp;

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had earlier described Qaani as one of the "most decorated commanders" of the Guards during the 1980-88 war between Iran and Iraq.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimanis-death-will-be-avenged-at-right-place-and-time-irans-top-security-body-271993">Soleimani's death will be avenged at 'right place and time': Iran's top security body</a>

Watch the video here:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-brigadier-gen-esmail-ghaani-appointed-as-countrys-quds-force-chief-replacing-soleimani-272005/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Qaani's elevation to the top post comes at a time when the tension between Washington and Iran escalated after US's drone strike on Friday that killed Soleimani. So let's look at who is Iran's new head of the overseas arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guard.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-killing-of-iranians-general-qasem-soleimani-and-its-consequences-271884">The killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and its consequences</a>

Qaani became deputy commander of the Quds Force in 1997 when Soleimani became the Force's main commander. He is one of the most influential Iranian figures in Syria where the country backs President Bashar al-Assad.&nbsp;

The new commander is also known for his strong criticism on Israel.&nbsp;

He had also warned US President Donald Trump in 2017 that any military action against Iran would "be regretted". Qaani has repeatedly lashed out at Trump and US-alles and made inflammatory statements in the past.&nbsp;

"We have buried many ... like Trump and know how to fight against America," Qaani had earlier said in 2017, quoted Iranian media.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

On Friday, Iran's supreme leader announced that Esmail Qaani would be the leader of the Quds Force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' after the killing of former commander Qasem Soleimani in a US airstrike in Baghdad.

On Friday, Iran's supreme leader announced that Esmail Qaani would be the leader of the Quds Force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' after the killing of former commander Qasem Soleimani in a US airstrike in Baghdad. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had earlier described Qaani as one of the "most decorated commanders" of the Guards during the 1980-88 war between Iran and Iraq. Also read: Soleimani's death will be avenged at 'right place and time': Iran's top security body Watch the video here: Qaani's elevation to the top post comes at a time when the tension between Washington and Iran escalated after US's drone strike on Friday that killed Soleimani. So let's look at who is Iran's new head of the overseas arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Also read: The killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and its consequences Qaani became deputy commander of the Quds Force in 1997 when Soleimani became the Force's main commander. He is one of the most influential Iranian figures in Syria where the country backs President Bashar al-Assad. The new commander is also known for his strong criticism on Israel. He had also warned US President Donald Trump in 2017 that any military action against Iran would "be regretted". Qaani has repeatedly lashed out at Trump and US-alles and made inflammatory statements in the past. "We have buried many ... like Trump and know how to fight against America," Qaani had earlier said in 2017, quoted Iranian media. (with inputs from agencies)

Man who replaces Soleimani: Meet Iran's Quds Force's new chief, Esmail Qaani

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday supported government's decision to hike petrol prices and blamed the opponents of the Islamic Republic for the vandalism on Saturday's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protests-erupt-in-iran-over-fuel-price-hike-262533">protests</a>.&nbsp;

"Some people are no doubt worried by this decision ... but sabotage and arson is done by hooligans not our people. The counter-revolution and Iran's enemies have always supported sabotage and breaches of security and continue to do so," Ayatollah Khamenei said, reports Iran's state television.&nbsp;

Forty people have been arrested&nbsp;in the central Iranian city of Yazd for clashing with the police during protests on Saturday,&nbsp;the semi-official ISNA news agency reported Sunday. The police added that those arrested participated in the vandalism and most of them were not locals.

Khamenei added that if heads of three departments have made a decision on the price hike, then he will support the decision. &nbsp;

On Saturday, protests erupted in Iran a day after the government surprised with a decision to ration petrol and hike its price.&nbsp;

Iran's news agency IRNA said that the demonstrations were "severe" in Srijan in central Iran where protesters even attacked a fuel storage warehouse and tried to set fire to it.

The protests were also held in other cities such as&nbsp;Mashhad, Birjand, Ahvaz, Gachsaran, Abadan, Khoramshahr, Mahshahr, Shiraz and Bandar Abbas.&nbsp;

On Friday, Iran imposed petrol rationing and raised pump prices by at least 50 per cent, claiming that the move will help citizens in need with cash handouts. The move is expected to bring 2.55 billion&nbsp;per annum,&nbsp;the head of the country's Planning and Budget Organisation, Mohammad Bagher Nobakht said.&nbsp;

On Saturday, Iranian&nbsp;President Hassan Rouhani said that "75 per cent of the country are under pressure" and the extra revenue will go only&nbsp;to them not the treasury.&nbsp;

Iran's economy is facing serious trouble since last May when US President Donald Trump pulled out of a 2015 nuclear agreement and imposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic.&nbsp;

Inflation is high as much as 40 per cent and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted that the country's growth will shrink 9 per cent in 2020 and stagnate in 2020.

In December 2018, Rouhani tried to increase the fuel prices but his move was blocked in the Parliament due to intense protests that lasted several days. The speaker of the Parliament had said during that time that the move is not in the interests of the people of Iran.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday supported government's decision to hike petrol prices and blamed the opponents of the Islamic Republic for the vandalism on Saturday's protests.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday supported government's decision to hike petrol prices and blamed the opponents of the Islamic Republic for the vandalism on Saturday's protests. "Some people are no doubt worried by this decision ... but sabotage and arson is done by hooligans not our people. The counter-revolution and Iran's enemies have always supported sabotage and breaches of security and continue to do so," Ayatollah Khamenei said, reports Iran's state television. Forty people have been arrested in the central Iranian city of Yazd for clashing with the police during protests on Saturday, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported Sunday. The police added that those arrested participated in the vandalism and most of them were not locals. Khamenei added that if heads of three departments have made a decision on the price hike, then he will support the decision. On Saturday, protests erupted in Iran a day after the government surprised with a decision to ration petrol and hike its price. Iran's news agency IRNA said that the demonstrations were "severe" in Srijan in central Iran where protesters even attacked a fuel storage warehouse and tried to set fire to it. The protests were also held in other cities such as Mashhad, Birjand, Ahvaz, Gachsaran, Abadan, Khoramshahr, Mahshahr, Shiraz and Bandar Abbas. On Friday, Iran imposed petrol rationing and raised pump prices by at least 50 per cent, claiming that the move will help citizens in need with cash handouts. The move is expected to bring 2.55 billion per annum, the head of the country's Planning and Budget Organisation, Mohammad Bagher Nobakht said. On Saturday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that "75 per cent of the country are under pressure" and the extra revenue will go only to them not the treasury. Iran's economy is facing serious trouble since last May when US President Donald Trump pulled out of a 2015 nuclear agreement and imposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Inflation is high as much as 40 per cent and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted that the country's growth will shrink 9 per cent in 2020 and stagnate in 2020. In December 2018, Rouhani tried to increase the fuel prices but his move was blocked in the Parliament due to intense protests that lasted several days. The speaker of the Parliament had said during that time that the move is not in the interests of the people of Iran. (with inputs from agencies)

Fuel price hike: Iran supreme leader Khamenei voices support

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