Veep says gov’t acknowledges ‘right to criticism’ over shortcomings
Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said on Sunday that the government is open to criticism but some people are looking to take advantage of the situation to turn the protests over economic woes violent.
Addressing a meeting with some cabinet members, Aref said the government acknowledges that the country is faced with shortcomings.
“The government recognizes the right to criticism and protest, and this is [within] the capacity of our [1979] Revolution,” he said, stressing that the government expects the Iranian youth “not to fall into the trap of the enemies.”
Since December 28, several Iranian cities have been the scene of protests against economic problems, which began at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar over the national currency devaluation.
Several people have been reportedly killed during the protests.
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Saturday reacted to the ongoing demonstrations, stressing that “protest is legitimate, but protest is different from rioting.”
Officials must engage with protesters, he added, because “talking to the protester is different from talking to the rioter; talking to the rioter is of no use, and the rioter must be put in his place.”
Ayatollah Khamenei underlined that it is “absolutely unacceptable” for groups to come “under various titles and names with the intention of sabotage and creating insecurity,” standing behind “faithful, healthy and revolutionary bazaaris,” exploiting their protests and engaging in unrest.