Government blocks social media as protests spread in Iran

Protests against economic crisis and corruption continued for the fourth day in Iran and the government blocked social media in an attempt to stop demonstrations.

Protests against economic crisis and corruption continued for the fourth day in Iran and the government blocked social media in an attempt to stop demonstrations.

On the fourth day the protests spread to almost every city in the country and demonstrations demanded President Hassan Rouhani and religious leader Ali Khamenei to step down.

CLASHES IN TEHRAN

In Iran’s capital thousands of protestors gathered in the university and Inkilap Square. Protestors chanted “Death to Khamenei”, “Work, bread and freedom”. Clashes between demonstrators and the police started as Iranian forces attacked the protests. Several were injured during the attack.

DEMONSTRATION IN ILAM

In southwestern province of Ilam, thousands took to the streets to protest Rouhani administration’s economic policies. Locals report that demonstrations continue in the city.

PROTESTS IN KERMANSHAH AND KHOY

Thousands of demonstrators protested Iranian administration in Kermanshah’s Azadi Square and in Khoy, a city of Urumiyah province. People chanted “death to the dictator”. In Sine local sources reported demonstrations attended by thousands.

In the province of Lorestan demonstrators clashed with police in Tiwisirkan, Nurebad and Eliguderz. There are reports of two people killed in Tiwisirkan but this information could not be confirmed by independent sources.

MASHAD IS UNDER SIEGE BY IRANIAN SECURITY FORCES

Iranian army and police took very strict security measures in Mashad, second most populous city of the country. It is reported that revolutionary guards patrol on the streets of the city. Protests were also reported in Mazenderan and Cabahar.

SOCIAL MEDIA BLOCKED

Iranian authorities blocked Telegram and Instagram which are used extensively by the protestors.

Telegram in particular is very popular in Iran, with more than 50% of the country's 80m population said to be active on the app.

The company's CEO Pavel Durov tweeted that Iranian authorities took action after his company refused to shut down "peacefully protesting channels".

Iranian Communications Minister Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi had earlier accused channels like Amadnews of promoting "armed uprising and social unrest".

ARAK

Governor of Arak, Ali Axazade announced the detention of 100 people for joining protest demonstrations within the boundaries of the city. It was not disclosed where the detainees were taken.