Fresh protests broke out as night fell in Iran Monday with reports of a policeman shot dead, as the authorities moved to crack down on days of unrest across the country.

There was a heavy police presence in Tehran as small groups of protesters ran through the city centre shouting anti-regime slogans, local agencies reported.

Some arrests were made before calm returned to the capital, reports said.

State television said one policeman had been killed and three others wounded by fire from hunting rifles in the city of Najafabad in central Iran.

The latest demonstrations came despite President Hassan Rouhani&#39;s vow that the nation would deal with &quot;rioters and lawbreakers&quot;.

Media cited Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran&#39;s Supreme National Security Council, as blaming the violence on social media.

&quot;Hashtags and messages about the situation in Iran come from the United States, Britain and Saudi Arabia,&quot; he said.

&quot;What is happening on social networks concerning the situation in the country is a proxy war against the Iranian people.&quot;

US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticised Tehran over four days of demonstrations, said it was &quot;time for a change&quot; and that Iran&#39;s people were &quot;hungry&quot; for freedom.

Iran&#39;s intelligence ministry released a statement saying &quot;rioters and instigators&quot; have been identified &quot;and will be dealt with seriously soon&quot;.

The Revolutionary Guards published photos of three wanted people and called on the public to report any &quot;seditionist elements&quot;.

The deadliest night yet was on Sunday, with state television reporting six people killed by gunfire in the western town of Tuyserkan, and a local lawmaker saying two people had been shot dead in the southwestern town of Izeh.

Two others, including a teenage boy, were run down and killed by a fire engine protesters stole in the western town of Dorud, the state broadcaster said.

The total death toll linked to the protests currently stands at 13.

Biggest test for regime 
Rouhani tried to play down the unrest, which began in second city Mashhad last Thursday and quickly spread across the country to become the biggest test for the regime since mass protests in 2009.

&quot;This is nothing,&quot; Rouhani said in a statement on the presidency website.

&quot;Our nation will deal with this minority who chant slogans against the law and people&#39;s wishes, and insult the sanctities and values of the revolution.&quot;

Pro-regime rallies were held across several towns and cities.&nbsp;

Reporting restrictions remained tight, but videos on social media showed seemingly widespread anti-government protests, with attacks on government buildings and a school for clergy in the northwestern town of Takestan on Sunday.

&#39;Scared of talking&#39; 
Tehran has seen relatively small protests, but many people sympathise with economic grievances driving the unrest.

&quot;Life is really difficult. The high prices really put me under pressure. My husband is a government worker but his salary is no way enough for us to make ends meet,&quot; said Farzaneh Mirzaie, 42, a mother of two.

&quot;Mr Rouhani says it&#39;s free for people to protest but we&#39;re scared of speaking. Even now, I&#39;m scared of talking to you,&quot; added Sarita Mohammadi, a 35-year-old teacher.

The authorities have confirmed more than 400 arrests since the outbreak of the unrest, of whom around 100 have been freed.&nbsp;

&quot;Those who have rightful demands must be guided in lawful ways and those who riot and commit sabotage and chaos and set fire to public property... must be confronted decisively,&quot; judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani told the state broadcaster.

&quot;The country must have discipline,&quot; he added.

Trump, a fierce critic of Tehran, used one of his first tweets of 2018 to again lash out.

&quot;The great Iranian people have been repressed for many years. They are hungry for food &amp; for freedom. Along with human rights, the wealth of Iran is being looted. TIME FOR CHANGE!&quot; he tweeted.

The European Union Monday pushed Iran to guarantee the right to protest and separately British foreign minister Boris Johnson said &quot;the UK is watching events in Iran closely&quot;.

&quot;We believe that there should be meaningful debate about the legitimate and important issues the protesters are raising and we look to the Iranian authorities to permit this,&quot; Johnson said in a statement.

Living costs, unemployment 
After initial silence, state media have shown some footage of demonstrations, focusing on young men attacking banks and vehicles, an attack on a town hall in Tehran and images of a man burning the Iranian flag.

Rouhani came to power in 2013 promising to mend the economy and ease social tensions, but high living costs and a 12 percent unemployment rate have left many feeling that progress is too slow.

&quot;We have no problem bigger than unemployment. Our economy needs an operation. We must all stand together,&quot; Rouhani acknowledged on Monday.

In 2009, authorities ruthlessly put down protests which followed a disputed presidential election that gave hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a second term. At least 36 people were killed in 2009, according to an official toll, while the opposition says 72 died.

There was a heavy police presence in Tehran as small groups of protesters ran through the city centre shouting anti-regime slogans, local agencies reported

Fresh protests broke out as night fell in Iran Monday with reports of a policeman shot dead, as the authorities moved to crack down on days of unrest across the country. There was a heavy police presence in Tehran as small groups of protesters ran through the city centre shouting anti-regime slogans, local agencies reported. Some arrests were made before calm returned to the capital, reports said. State television said one policeman had been killed and three others wounded by fire from hunting rifles in the city of Najafabad in central Iran. The latest demonstrations came despite President Hassan Rouhani's vow that the nation would deal with "rioters and lawbreakers". Media cited Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, as blaming the violence on social media. "Hashtags and messages about the situation in Iran come from the United States, Britain and Saudi Arabia," he said. "What is happening on social networks concerning the situation in the country is a proxy war against the Iranian people." US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticised Tehran over four days of demonstrations, said it was "time for a change" and that Iran's people were "hungry" for freedom. Iran's intelligence ministry released a statement saying "rioters and instigators" have been identified "and will be dealt with seriously soon". The Revolutionary Guards published photos of three wanted people and called on the public to report any "seditionist elements". The deadliest night yet was on Sunday, with state television reporting six people killed by gunfire in the western town of Tuyserkan, and a local lawmaker saying two people had been shot dead in the southwestern town of Izeh. Two others, including a teenage boy, were run down and killed by a fire engine protesters stole in the western town of Dorud, the state broadcaster said. The total death toll linked to the protests currently stands at 13. Biggest test for regime Rouhani tried to play down the unrest, which began in second city Mashhad last Thursday and quickly spread across the country to become the biggest test for the regime since mass protests in 2009. "This is nothing," Rouhani said in a statement on the presidency website. "Our nation will deal with this minority who chant slogans against the law and people's wishes, and insult the sanctities and values of the revolution." Pro-regime rallies were held across several towns and cities. Reporting restrictions remained tight, but videos on social media showed seemingly widespread anti-government protests, with attacks on government buildings and a school for clergy in the northwestern town of Takestan on Sunday. 'Scared of talking' Tehran has seen relatively small protests, but many people sympathise with economic grievances driving the unrest. "Life is really difficult. The high prices really put me under pressure. My husband is a government worker but his salary is no way enough for us to make ends meet," said Farzaneh Mirzaie, 42, a mother of two. "Mr Rouhani says it's free for people to protest but we're scared of speaking. Even now, I'm scared of talking to you," added Sarita Mohammadi, a 35-year-old teacher. The authorities have confirmed more than 400 arrests since the outbreak of the unrest, of whom around 100 have been freed. "Those who have rightful demands must be guided in lawful ways and those who riot and commit sabotage and chaos and set fire to public property... must be confronted decisively," judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani told the state broadcaster. "The country must have discipline," he added. Trump, a fierce critic of Tehran, used one of his first tweets of 2018 to again lash out. "The great Iranian people have been repressed for many years. They are hungry for food & for freedom. Along with human rights, the wealth of Iran is being looted. TIME FOR CHANGE!" he tweeted. The European Union Monday pushed Iran to guarantee the right to protest and separately British foreign minister Boris Johnson said "the UK is watching events in Iran closely". "We believe that there should be meaningful debate about the legitimate and important issues the protesters are raising and we look to the Iranian authorities to permit this," Johnson said in a statement. Living costs, unemployment After initial silence, state media have shown some footage of demonstrations, focusing on young men attacking banks and vehicles, an attack on a town hall in Tehran and images of a man burning the Iranian flag. Rouhani came to power in 2013 promising to mend the economy and ease social tensions, but high living costs and a 12 percent unemployment rate have left many feeling that progress is too slow. "We have no problem bigger than unemployment. Our economy needs an operation. We must all stand together," Rouhani acknowledged on Monday. In 2009, authorities ruthlessly put down protests which followed a disputed presidential election that gave hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a second term. At least 36 people were killed in 2009, according to an official toll, while the opposition says 72 died.

Fresh protests in Iran; policeman killed, 3 injured

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/protests-hit-tehran-as-government-warns-against-illegal-gatherings-28138">Protesters in Iran who have staged three days of demonstrations</a> over economic hardship and alleged corruption should pay a high price if they break the law, the government said on Sunday.

The wave of anti-government demonstrations in several cities are the biggest challenge to Iran&#39;s leaders since unrest in 2009 that followed the disputed re-election of then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad went on for months.

Protesters have attacked banks and government buildings and burned a police motorcycle. Two protesters were shot dead in the western town of Dorud on Saturday night. The deputy governor of Lorestan province blamed foreign agents for the deaths.

&quot;No shots were fired by the police and security forces. We have found evidence of enemies of the revolution, Takfiri groups and foreign agents in this clash,&quot; Habibollah Khojastehpour said in an interview on state television on Sunday. Takfiri is a term for Sunni militants especially the Islamic State.

State media also quoted Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli as saying: &quot;Those who damage public property, violate law and order and create unrest are responsible for their actions and should pay the price.&quot;

Ahmad Khatami, a hardline cleric who leads Friday prayers in the capital Tehran, said the protests were similar to those in 2009 over alleged electoral fraud.

He called for capital punishment for those chanting slogans against the values of the Islamic Republic.

The protests have included chants and slogans against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the clerical leadership in power since 1979 revolution.

Videos posted on social media showed people chanting: &quot;Mullahs, have some shame, let go of the country.&quot;

Protests defied the police and Revolutionary Guards who have used violence to crush previous unrest because they are motivated by economic grievances and have no clear leader.

They are also difficult for the government of President Hassan Rouhani because he was elected on a promise to guarantee rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

Rouhani&#39;s main achievement, a 2015 deal with world powers that curbed Iran&#39;s nuclear program in return for a lifting of most international sanctions, is yet to bring the economic benefits the government promised.

Unemployment rose to 12.4 percent this fiscal year up 1.4 percentage points, according to the Statistical Centre of Iran. 3.2 Iranians are jobless.

The wave of anti-government demonstrations in several cities are the biggest challenge to Iran's leaders since unrest in 2009

Protesters in Iran who have staged three days of demonstrations over economic hardship and alleged corruption should pay a high price if they break the law, the government said on Sunday. The wave of anti-government demonstrations in several cities are the biggest challenge to Iran's leaders since unrest in 2009 that followed the disputed re-election of then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad went on for months. Protesters have attacked banks and government buildings and burned a police motorcycle. Two protesters were shot dead in the western town of Dorud on Saturday night. The deputy governor of Lorestan province blamed foreign agents for the deaths. "No shots were fired by the police and security forces. We have found evidence of enemies of the revolution, Takfiri groups and foreign agents in this clash," Habibollah Khojastehpour said in an interview on state television on Sunday. Takfiri is a term for Sunni militants especially the Islamic State. State media also quoted Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli as saying: "Those who damage public property, violate law and order and create unrest are responsible for their actions and should pay the price." Ahmad Khatami, a hardline cleric who leads Friday prayers in the capital Tehran, said the protests were similar to those in 2009 over alleged electoral fraud. He called for capital punishment for those chanting slogans against the values of the Islamic Republic. The protests have included chants and slogans against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the clerical leadership in power since 1979 revolution. Videos posted on social media showed people chanting: "Mullahs, have some shame, let go of the country." Protests defied the police and Revolutionary Guards who have used violence to crush previous unrest because they are motivated by economic grievances and have no clear leader. They are also difficult for the government of President Hassan Rouhani because he was elected on a promise to guarantee rights to freedom of expression and assembly. Rouhani's main achievement, a 2015 deal with world powers that curbed Iran's nuclear program in return for a lifting of most international sanctions, is yet to bring the economic benefits the government promised. Unemployment rose to 12.4 percent this fiscal year up 1.4 percentage points, according to the Statistical Centre of Iran. 3.2 Iranians are jobless.

Iran said protesters should pay a high price if they break the law

An official in Tehran said on Sunday that 200 people were arrested during the previous night&#39;s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-said-protesters-should-pay-a-high-price-if-they-break-the-law-28170">protests in the Iranian capital</a>, the semi-official ILNA news agency reported.

&quot;These individuals are now with the judiciary and some others have been freed out of clemency,&quot; Ali Asghar Nasserbakht, a security deputy for Tehran&#39;s governor, told ILNA.

He said 40 of those arrested were &quot;leaders&quot; and that their protests had not been related to the economy.

&quot;Some opposition groups from abroad make our youth emotional,&quot; he said.

Several hundred people <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-government-restricts-social-media-on-mobiles-28187">protested around the University of Tehran</a> on Saturday, and there were reports of vandalism during the night, including an attack on a town hall.

The protests in Tehran appear to be smaller than many of those seen in towns and cities around the country since Thursday, where there have been few reports about the number of arrests.

Forty of those arrested were "leaders" and that their protests had not been related to the economy

An official in Tehran said on Sunday that 200 people were arrested during the previous night's protests in the Iranian capital, the semi-official ILNA news agency reported. "These individuals are now with the judiciary and some others have been freed out of clemency," Ali Asghar Nasserbakht, a security deputy for Tehran's governor, told ILNA. He said 40 of those arrested were "leaders" and that their protests had not been related to the economy. "Some opposition groups from abroad make our youth emotional," he said. Several hundred people protested around the University of Tehran on Saturday, and there were reports of vandalism during the night, including an attack on a town hall. The protests in Tehran appear to be smaller than many of those seen in towns and cities around the country since Thursday, where there have been few reports about the number of arrests.

200 arrested during Saturday protests in Tehran

The Iranian government blocked social media apps after protests intensified across the capital city and spread to areas like Qom -- 80kms away from Tehran.&nbsp;

At least two people have been killed during the protests which&nbsp;continued on the third. Numerous demonstrators have been arrested.&nbsp;

Iran&#39;s Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli&#39;s warned protestors stating that &quot;those who damage public property, violate law and order and create unrest are responsible for their actions and should pay the price.&quot;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-said-protesters-should-pay-a-high-price-if-they-break-the-law-28170" target="_blank">Despite the warning</a>, the protestors attacked a town hall in Tehran on Saturday.&nbsp;

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/3-reportedly-killed-in-ongoing-protests-in-iran-government-blocks-internet-28144">government was reported to have banned internet access</a> on local devices and have nos restricted access to a couple of social media applications to curb protests.

Social media applications like Instagram and Telegram have been banned.

Telegram app was previously accused of being a tool in instigating violence during protests.

Telecom Minister Mohammad-Javad Azari called the app as &quot;counter-revolutionary&quot;, facilitating armed uprising and social unrest.&nbsp;

&quot;If the counter-revolutionaries want to use this atmosphere to create riots, naturally the Supreme National Security Council will take action,&quot; he told the state broadcaster.

&quot;Iranian authorities are blocking access to Telegram for the majority of Iranians after our public refusal to shut down [Sedaie Mardom] and other peacefully protesting channels,&quot; Azari tweeted, referring to one of the channels criticised by Iran.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov confirmed the blocking.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The government was reported to have banned internet access on local devices

The Iranian government blocked social media apps after protests intensified across the capital city and spread to areas like Qom -- 80kms away from Tehran. At least two people have been killed during the protests which continued on the third. Numerous demonstrators have been arrested. Iran's Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli's warned protestors stating that "those who damage public property, violate law and order and create unrest are responsible for their actions and should pay the price." Despite the warning, the protestors attacked a town hall in Tehran on Saturday. The government was reported to have banned internet access on local devices and have nos restricted access to a couple of social media applications to curb protests. Social media applications like Instagram and Telegram have been banned. Telegram app was previously accused of being a tool in instigating violence during protests. Telecom Minister Mohammad-Javad Azari called the app as "counter-revolutionary", facilitating armed uprising and social unrest. "If the counter-revolutionaries want to use this atmosphere to create riots, naturally the Supreme National Security Council will take action," he told the state broadcaster. "Iranian authorities are blocking access to Telegram for the majority of Iranians after our public refusal to shut down [Sedaie Mardom] and other peacefully protesting channels," Azari tweeted, referring to one of the channels criticised by Iran. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov confirmed the blocking. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran protests: Government temporarily restricts social media on mobiles

Tear gas filled the streets of downtown Tehran on Saturday as protests spilled into a third day, with the government warning against further &quot;illegal gatherings&quot;.

There was chaos around the University of Tehran as several hundred people scuffled with police and shouted slogans against the regime for several hours, bringing traffic to a standstill.&nbsp;

But the regime also put on a show of strength, with hundreds of counter-demonstrators seizing control of the university entrance in Tehran, chanting &quot;Death to the seditionists&quot;.

Videos shared by social media users outside Iran claimed to show thousands marching peacefully in several cities including Khorramabad, Zanjan and Ahvaz, with chants of &quot;Death to the dictator&quot;.

But a swirl of wild rumours online, combined with travel restrictions and a near-total media blackout from official agencies, made it difficult to verify footage.

Telecoms minister Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi accused one popular Telegram channel of encouraging the &quot;use of Molotov cocktails, armed uprising, and social unrest&quot;.&nbsp;

The authorities were fortunate that annual rallies marking the defeat of the last major protest movement in 2009 were already scheduled for Saturday morning and brought thousands of regime enthusiasts to the streets across the country.&nbsp;

&quot;We urge all those who receive these calls to protest not to participate in these illegal gatherings as they will create problems for themselves and other citizens,&quot; warned Interior Minister Abdolrahman Rahmani Fazli.

The protests began in the second city of Mashhad on Thursday as an attack on high living costs but quickly turned against the Islamic regime as a whole.

There were even chants in favour of the monarchy toppled by the Islamic revolution of 1979, while others criticised the regime for supporting the Palestinians and other regional movements rather than focusing on problems at home.

State news channel IRINN said it had been banned from covering the protests that spread to towns and cities including Qom and Kermanshah.&nbsp;

&quot;The enemy wants once again to create a new plot and use social media and economic issues to foment a new sedition,&quot; Ayatollah Mohsen Araki, a prominent cleric, told a crowd in Tehran, according to the conservative Fars news agency.

Other officials also pointed the blame outside Iran.&nbsp;

&quot;Although people have a right to protest, protesters must know how they are being directed,&quot; Massoumeh Ebtekar, vice president in charge of women`s affairs, wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

She posted images from Twitter accounts based in the United States and Saudi Arabia, voicing support for the Mashhad protests. Nonetheless, officials warned against dismissing the public anger seen in recent days.

&quot;The country is facing serious challenges with unemployment, high prices, corruption, lack of water, social gap, unbalanced distribution of budget,&quot; wrote Hesamoddin Ashena, cultural adviser to President Hassan Rouhani, on Twitter.

&quot;People have the right for their voice to be heard.&quot;

There has been particular anger at welfare cuts and fuel price increases in the latest budget announced earlier this month.

Since the 2009 protests were ruthlessly put down by the Revolutionary Guards, many middle-class Iranians have abandoned hope of pressing for change from the streets.&nbsp;

But low-level strikes and demonstrations have continued, often on a sector-by-sector basis as bus drivers or teachers or workers from specific factories protest against unpaid wages or poor conditions.&nbsp;

Some of this week`s protests were directed against financial scandals linked to unauthorised lending institutions which collapsed with the loss of hundreds of thousands of accounts.&nbsp;

Payam Parhiz, editor-in-chief of reformist media network Nazar that broke the news of the Mashhad protests, said they were more focused on the economy than those in 2009, which were sparked by allegations of election-rigging.&nbsp;

&quot;Then, they were middle-class and their slogans went beyond economic matters to things like cultural liberties,&quot; he told AFP.&nbsp;

&quot;Today, the concerns are economic. There are people who have lost their life savings. They will protest until their problems are resolved.&quot;

Since taking power in 2013, President Hassan Rouhani has sought to clean up the banking sector and kickstart the economy, but many say progress has been too slow.

Aware that economic problems can quickly spiral into political chaos, officials from across the political spectrum have called for greater efforts to tackle poverty and the 12 percent unemployment rate.&nbsp;

&quot;Solving people&#39;s economic problems is the chief priority in the country,&quot; tweeted Ebrahim Raisi, the hardline cleric defeated by Rouhani in May&#39;s presidential election.&nbsp;

There was chaos around the University of Tehran as several hundred people scuffled with police and shouted slogans against the regime for several hours

Tear gas filled the streets of downtown Tehran on Saturday as protests spilled into a third day, with the government warning against further "illegal gatherings". There was chaos around the University of Tehran as several hundred people scuffled with police and shouted slogans against the regime for several hours, bringing traffic to a standstill. But the regime also put on a show of strength, with hundreds of counter-demonstrators seizing control of the university entrance in Tehran, chanting "Death to the seditionists". Videos shared by social media users outside Iran claimed to show thousands marching peacefully in several cities including Khorramabad, Zanjan and Ahvaz, with chants of "Death to the dictator". But a swirl of wild rumours online, combined with travel restrictions and a near-total media blackout from official agencies, made it difficult to verify footage. Telecoms minister Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi accused one popular Telegram channel of encouraging the "use of Molotov cocktails, armed uprising, and social unrest". The authorities were fortunate that annual rallies marking the defeat of the last major protest movement in 2009 were already scheduled for Saturday morning and brought thousands of regime enthusiasts to the streets across the country. "We urge all those who receive these calls to protest not to participate in these illegal gatherings as they will create problems for themselves and other citizens," warned Interior Minister Abdolrahman Rahmani Fazli. The protests began in the second city of Mashhad on Thursday as an attack on high living costs but quickly turned against the Islamic regime as a whole. There were even chants in favour of the monarchy toppled by the Islamic revolution of 1979, while others criticised the regime for supporting the Palestinians and other regional movements rather than focusing on problems at home. State news channel IRINN said it had been banned from covering the protests that spread to towns and cities including Qom and Kermanshah. "The enemy wants once again to create a new plot and use social media and economic issues to foment a new sedition," Ayatollah Mohsen Araki, a prominent cleric, told a crowd in Tehran, according to the conservative Fars news agency. Other officials also pointed the blame outside Iran. "Although people have a right to protest, protesters must know how they are being directed," Massoumeh Ebtekar, vice president in charge of women`s affairs, wrote on Twitter. She posted images from Twitter accounts based in the United States and Saudi Arabia, voicing support for the Mashhad protests. Nonetheless, officials warned against dismissing the public anger seen in recent days. "The country is facing serious challenges with unemployment, high prices, corruption, lack of water, social gap, unbalanced distribution of budget," wrote Hesamoddin Ashena, cultural adviser to President Hassan Rouhani, on Twitter. "People have the right for their voice to be heard." There has been particular anger at welfare cuts and fuel price increases in the latest budget announced earlier this month. Since the 2009 protests were ruthlessly put down by the Revolutionary Guards, many middle-class Iranians have abandoned hope of pressing for change from the streets. But low-level strikes and demonstrations have continued, often on a sector-by-sector basis as bus drivers or teachers or workers from specific factories protest against unpaid wages or poor conditions. Some of this week`s protests were directed against financial scandals linked to unauthorised lending institutions which collapsed with the loss of hundreds of thousands of accounts. Payam Parhiz, editor-in-chief of reformist media network Nazar that broke the news of the Mashhad protests, said they were more focused on the economy than those in 2009, which were sparked by allegations of election-rigging. "Then, they were middle-class and their slogans went beyond economic matters to things like cultural liberties," he told AFP. "Today, the concerns are economic. There are people who have lost their life savings. They will protest until their problems are resolved." Since taking power in 2013, President Hassan Rouhani has sought to clean up the banking sector and kickstart the economy, but many say progress has been too slow. Aware that economic problems can quickly spiral into political chaos, officials from across the political spectrum have called for greater efforts to tackle poverty and the 12 percent unemployment rate. "Solving people's economic problems is the chief priority in the country," tweeted Ebrahim Raisi, the hardline cleric defeated by Rouhani in May's presidential election.

Protests hit Tehran as government warns against 'illegal gatherings'

Iran said on Tuesday US&nbsp;President Donald Trump cannot cause its nuclear deal with six major powers to collapse.

&quot;The nuclear deal will not collapse... Those who hope that Trump will cause its collapse, are wrong,&quot; Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on State TV.

In October, Trump declined to certify that Iran was complying with the nuclear agreement reached among Tehran, the United States and other powers in 2015. His decision triggered a 60-day window for Congress to decide whether to bring back sanctions on Iran.

Congress passed the ball back to Trump by letting the deadline on reimposing sanctions on Iran pass last week. Trump must decide in mid-January if he wants to continue to waive energy sanctions on Iran.

Under the deal, nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran were lifted last year, in return for Tehran curbing its nuclear programme.

Iran has said it will stick to the accord as long as the other signatories respect it, but will &ldquo;shred&rdquo; the deal if Washington pulls out.

Under the deal, nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran were lifted last year, in return for Tehran curbing its nuclear programme

Iran said on Tuesday US President Donald Trump cannot cause its nuclear deal with six major powers to collapse. "The nuclear deal will not collapse... Those who hope that Trump will cause its collapse, are wrong," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on State TV. In October, Trump declined to certify that Iran was complying with the nuclear agreement reached among Tehran, the United States and other powers in 2015. His decision triggered a 60-day window for Congress to decide whether to bring back sanctions on Iran. Congress passed the ball back to Trump by letting the deadline on reimposing sanctions on Iran pass last week. Trump must decide in mid-January if he wants to continue to waive energy sanctions on Iran. Under the deal, nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran were lifted last year, in return for Tehran curbing its nuclear programme. Iran has said it will stick to the accord as long as the other signatories respect it, but will “shred” the deal if Washington pulls out.

Iran says Trump cannot cause collapse of nuclear deal

Islamic State issued a video on Wednesday threatening new attacks in the Iranian capital Tehran and calling on young Iranians to rise up and launch jihad in their country.

A man wearing a black ski mask and holding an AK-47, seated alongside two others, made the threat in a video bearing the Islamic State&#39;s Amaq news agency logo and showing footage of two attacks in Tehran in June claimed by the militant group.

&quot;The same way we are cutting the necks of your dogs in Iraq and Syria we will cut your necks in the centre of Tehran,&quot; the man said, speaking accented Farsi.

Islamic State, a Sunni Muslim group which has sought to establish a caliphate in parts of the Gulf but is now under pressure from national armies and international groups in Syria and Iraq, sees Iran, which is predominantly Shi&#39;ite, as one of its biggest enemies in the region.

The group killed at least 18 people in attacks on parliament in Tehran and the mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini on June 7.

Iran&#39;s Revolutionary Guards fired several missiles at Islamic State bases in Syria on June 18 in response to that attack. Iranian officials have also announced the arrests of dozens allegedly linked to the attacks.

Another portion of the video showed militants in black ski masks speaking out against Shi&#39;ites in Arabic and threatening attacks against them in Iraq.

&nbsp;

Islamic State, a Sunni Muslim group, sees Iran, which is predominantly Shi'ite, as one of its biggest enemies in the region

Islamic State issued a video on Wednesday threatening new attacks in the Iranian capital Tehran and calling on young Iranians to rise up and launch jihad in their country. A man wearing a black ski mask and holding an AK-47, seated alongside two others, made the threat in a video bearing the Islamic State's Amaq news agency logo and showing footage of two attacks in Tehran in June claimed by the militant group. "The same way we are cutting the necks of your dogs in Iraq and Syria we will cut your necks in the centre of Tehran," the man said, speaking accented Farsi. Islamic State, a Sunni Muslim group which has sought to establish a caliphate in parts of the Gulf but is now under pressure from national armies and international groups in Syria and Iraq, sees Iran, which is predominantly Shi'ite, as one of its biggest enemies in the region. The group killed at least 18 people in attacks on parliament in Tehran and the mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini on June 7. Iran's Revolutionary Guards fired several missiles at Islamic State bases in Syria on June 18 in response to that attack. Iranian officials have also announced the arrests of dozens allegedly linked to the attacks. Another portion of the video showed militants in black ski masks speaking out against Shi'ites in Arabic and threatening attacks against them in Iraq.

Islamic State releases video threatening new attacks in Iran

All the parties to the Iran nuclear deal are abiding by its terms, the European Union said on Thursday, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-nuclear-deal-violated-by-new-us-sanctions-18531">despite Tehran&#39;s charges that new US sanctions breach the agreement</a>.

Tehran says the new measures violate its 2015 deal with world powers that eased sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme, an agreement which US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to tear up.

&quot;So far we consider that all parties have been implementing their commitments under the deal,&quot; Catherine Ray, a spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, told a press briefing in Brussels.

&quot;We expect their continued adherence,&quot; Ray said when asked to comment on the Iranian charges.

Ray based her expectation on a July 21 meeting in Vienna of the Mogherini-chaired commission that brings together Iran and the other parties to discuss the deal&#39;s implementation.

Mogherini&#39;s office issued a statement at the time saying the meeting&#39;s participants confirmed their continued adherence and &quot;stressed the need to ensure its full and effective implementation in a constructive atmosphere.&quot;

Ray said the joint commission allowed for the Iranian view on new US sanctions to be widely discussed.

The United States enacted Wednesday new sanctions targeting Iran&#39;s ballistic missile programme, alleging human rights abuses and its support for the Lebanese Hezbollah, which Washington calls a terrorist group.

Following the nuclear deal, Washington and the EU lifted sanctions related to Iran&#39;s atomic programme that the West alleged was for military purposes but Tehran said was peaceful.&nbsp;

Mogherini is due in Tehran on Saturday for the inauguration of Hassan Rouhani, who was re-elected to a second term as president in May.

EU countries Britain, France and Germany, which signed the deal along with Russia, China and the United States, remain firm backers of the agreement and have criticised the Trump administration for threatening to scrap it.&nbsp;

EU comments came despite Tehran's charges that new US sanctions breach the agreement

All the parties to the Iran nuclear deal are abiding by its terms, the European Union said on Thursday, despite Tehran's charges that new US sanctions breach the agreement. Tehran says the new measures violate its 2015 deal with world powers that eased sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme, an agreement which US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to tear up. "So far we consider that all parties have been implementing their commitments under the deal," Catherine Ray, a spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, told a press briefing in Brussels. "We expect their continued adherence," Ray said when asked to comment on the Iranian charges. Ray based her expectation on a July 21 meeting in Vienna of the Mogherini-chaired commission that brings together Iran and the other parties to discuss the deal's implementation. Mogherini's office issued a statement at the time saying the meeting's participants confirmed their continued adherence and "stressed the need to ensure its full and effective implementation in a constructive atmosphere." Ray said the joint commission allowed for the Iranian view on new US sanctions to be widely discussed. The United States enacted Wednesday new sanctions targeting Iran's ballistic missile programme, alleging human rights abuses and its support for the Lebanese Hezbollah, which Washington calls a terrorist group. Following the nuclear deal, Washington and the EU lifted sanctions related to Iran's atomic programme that the West alleged was for military purposes but Tehran said was peaceful. Mogherini is due in Tehran on Saturday for the inauguration of Hassan Rouhani, who was re-elected to a second term as president in May. EU countries Britain, France and Germany, which signed the deal along with Russia, China and the United States, remain firm backers of the agreement and have criticised the Trump administration for threatening to scrap it.

Despite Iran reservations, EU says all parties sticking to Iran nuclear deal

Iranians head to the polls Friday for a vote that has become a referendum on President Hassan Rouhani&#39;s policy of opening up to the world and efforts to rebuild the stagnant economy.

He faces stiff competition from hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi, 56, who has positioned himself as a defender of the poor and called for a much tougher line with the West.

Rouhani, a 68-year-old moderate cleric, has sought to frame the election as a choice between greater civil liberties and &quot;extremism&quot;.

He has pushed the boundaries over the past fortnight, criticising the continued arrest of reformist leaders and activists, and calling on security agencies not to interfere in the vote.

Raisi says he will stick by the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, that saw curbs to Iran&#39;s atomic programme in exchange for sanctions relief, but he points to the continued economic slump as proof that Rouhani&#39;s diplomatic efforts have failed.

&quot;Instead of using the capable hands of our youths to resolve problems, they are putting our economy in the hands of foreigners,&quot; Raisi said at a final rally in the holy city of Mashhad on Wednesday.

Rouhani responded by calling on voters to keep hardliners away from Iran&#39;s delicate diplomatic levers.&nbsp;

&quot;One wrong decision by the president can mean war and a correct decision can mean peace,&quot; he said at his own Mashhad rally.

The election comes at a tense moment in US-Iran relations.&nbsp;

Rouhani gained a reprieve on Wednesday when the administration of US President Donald Trump agreed to continue waiving nuclear-related sanctions, keeping the deal on track for now.

But Trump has launched a 90-day review of the accord that could see it abandoned, and is visiting Iran&#39;s bitter regional rival Saudi Arabia this weekend.

Economic slump 
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said a massive turnout was needed to show the continued popularity of the Islamic regime.

&quot;Faced with the enemy, the people should show their determination and calm,&quot; he said this week.&nbsp;

Despite the global implications, it is the economy that has dominated the campaign.

Rouhani has brought inflation down from around 40 percent when he took over in 2013, but prices are still rising by nine percent a year.

Oil sales have rebounded since the nuclear deal took effect in January 2016, but growth in the rest of the economy has been limited, leaving unemployment at 12.5 percent overall, and almost 30 percent for young people.&nbsp;

Rouhani has vowed to work towards the removal of remaining US sanctions that are stifling trade and investment deals with Europe and Asia, but he is unlikely to receive much assistance from Trump.

Raisi has instead promised to triple cash hand-outs to the poor, hoping to pick up voters that once supported hardline populist Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.&nbsp;

Having proved too independent for the conservative establishment, Ahmadinejad was dramatically barred from standing by the Guardian Council last month as it disqualified all but six of the 1,636 people who signed up for the election.

The presidential race has since narrowed to a two-horse race as the other candidates either pulled out or called on their supporters to back Rouhani or Raisi.

Iranians will also be voting Friday for their local councils, with reformists particularly hoping to undo the conservatives&#39; narrow majority in Tehran.&nbsp;

(AFP) 
&nbsp;

The choice is between current President Hassan Rouhani and his policy of opening up to the world and the hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi who has called for a much tougher line with the West

Iranians head to the polls Friday for a vote that has become a referendum on President Hassan Rouhani's policy of opening up to the world and efforts to rebuild the stagnant economy. He faces stiff competition from hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi, 56, who has positioned himself as a defender of the poor and called for a much tougher line with the West. Rouhani, a 68-year-old moderate cleric, has sought to frame the election as a choice between greater civil liberties and "extremism". He has pushed the boundaries over the past fortnight, criticising the continued arrest of reformist leaders and activists, and calling on security agencies not to interfere in the vote. Raisi says he will stick by the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, that saw curbs to Iran's atomic programme in exchange for sanctions relief, but he points to the continued economic slump as proof that Rouhani's diplomatic efforts have failed. "Instead of using the capable hands of our youths to resolve problems, they are putting our economy in the hands of foreigners," Raisi said at a final rally in the holy city of Mashhad on Wednesday. Rouhani responded by calling on voters to keep hardliners away from Iran's delicate diplomatic levers. "One wrong decision by the president can mean war and a correct decision can mean peace," he said at his own Mashhad rally. The election comes at a tense moment in US-Iran relations. Rouhani gained a reprieve on Wednesday when the administration of US President Donald Trump agreed to continue waiving nuclear-related sanctions, keeping the deal on track for now. But Trump has launched a 90-day review of the accord that could see it abandoned, and is visiting Iran's bitter regional rival Saudi Arabia this weekend. Economic slump Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said a massive turnout was needed to show the continued popularity of the Islamic regime. "Faced with the enemy, the people should show their determination and calm," he said this week. Despite the global implications, it is the economy that has dominated the campaign. Rouhani has brought inflation down from around 40 percent when he took over in 2013, but prices are still rising by nine percent a year. Oil sales have rebounded since the nuclear deal took effect in January 2016, but growth in the rest of the economy has been limited, leaving unemployment at 12.5 percent overall, and almost 30 percent for young people. Rouhani has vowed to work towards the removal of remaining US sanctions that are stifling trade and investment deals with Europe and Asia, but he is unlikely to receive much assistance from Trump. Raisi has instead promised to triple cash hand-outs to the poor, hoping to pick up voters that once supported hardline populist Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Having proved too independent for the conservative establishment, Ahmadinejad was dramatically barred from standing by the Guardian Council last month as it disqualified all but six of the 1,636 people who signed up for the election. The presidential race has since narrowed to a two-horse race as the other candidates either pulled out or called on their supporters to back Rouhani or Raisi. Iranians will also be voting Friday for their local councils, with reformists particularly hoping to undo the conservatives' narrow majority in Tehran. (AFP)

Iran votes today

Iran today condemned a shooting spree at a busy shopping centre in Munich by a teenage German-Iranian gunman who killed nine people before committing suicide. 
 
Foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi denounced &quot;the killing of innocent and defenceless people&quot; and expressed Iran&#39;s solidarity with the German government and people, official IRNA news agency reported. 
 
Ghasemi also called for a &quot;relentless and comprehensive fight&quot; to eradicate violence. 
Sixteen people were also wounded in Friday&#39;s shooting spree in Munich, German police said, adding that the assailant was an 18-year-old 
 
German-Iranian who had no criminal record. 
 
A police spokesman in Germany had said on Friday that terrorism was suspected, without revealing any immediate indications of an Islamist link. 
 
The attack came just days after a teenage asylum seeker went on a rampage with an axe and a knife on a train on Monday near Wuerzburg, also in Bavaria, injuring five people. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp;

A police spokesman in Germany said that terrorism was suspected, without revealing any immediate indications of an Islamist link

Iran today condemned a shooting spree at a busy shopping centre in Munich by a teenage German-Iranian gunman who killed nine people before committing suicide. Foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi denounced "the killing of innocent and defenceless people" and expressed Iran's solidarity with the German government and people, official IRNA news agency reported. Ghasemi also called for a "relentless and comprehensive fight" to eradicate violence. Sixteen people were also wounded in Friday's shooting spree in Munich, German police said, adding that the assailant was an 18-year-old German-Iranian who had no criminal record. A police spokesman in Germany had said on Friday that terrorism was suspected, without revealing any immediate indications of an Islamist link. The attack came just days after a teenage asylum seeker went on a rampage with an axe and a knife on a train on Monday near Wuerzburg, also in Bavaria, injuring five people. (AFP)

Iran condemns shooting spree by German-Iranian gunman in Munich

Iran and US aerospace giant Boeing have reached a deal for the purchase of 100 aircraft to renew the country&#39;s ageing fleet, the head of Tehran&#39;s civil aviation authority announced today. 
 
&quot;We have 250 planes in the country, 230 need to be replaced,&quot; said Ali Abedzadeh, the head of the civil aviation body, adding that the deal still needed approval from the US government. 
 
(AFP)

Iran and US aerospace giant Boeing have reached a deal for the purchase of 100 aircraft to renew the country's ageing fleet, the head of Tehran's civil aviation authority announced today. "We have 250 planes in the country, 230 need to be replaced," said Ali Abedzadeh, the head of the civil aviation body, adding that the deal still needed approval from the US government. (AFP)

Iran, Boeing reach deal on purchase of 100 planes: Tehran

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