President Trump in a tweet early Monday said that it is time for change in Iran, following protests that have left at least ten people dead.
“Iran is failing at every level despite the terrible deal made with them by the Obama Administration,” he said.
“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,” he added. “TIME FOR CHANGE!”
{mosads}State television said Monday that ten people were killed in street protests in Iran, Reuters reported.
“In the events of last night, unfortunately, a total of about 10 people were killed in several cities,” state television said, according to the news outlet. No details of the deaths were provided, it added.
Lawmakers and former government officials have praised Trump for his approach to the protests in Iran. The president has tweeted several times about the protests in recent days.
“The people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism,” Trump said early Sunday. “Looks like they will not take it any longer. The USA is watching very closely for human rights violations!”
Iran’s government, however, attacked Trump on Saturday for tweeting his support for Iranian protesters, calling a tweet in support of protesters “deceitful.”
The protests were initially focused last week on high food prices, corruption and the cost of Iran’s participation in the Syrian and Yemeni wars. But chanted slogans have become more specifically anti-clerical as the demonstrations have progressed, calling for an end to theocratic rule.