Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday backed the government’s decision to raise gasoline prices and described protesters as “thugs,” indicating a possible crackdown on nationwide demonstrations. Angry citizens took to the streets in some two dozen Iranian cities over the weekend after the price of heavily subsidized gasoline was hiked by 50 percent. Clashes broke out in several places as protesters set fire to public property and accused the government of wasting money fighting proxy wars in places such as Syria and Yemen. It marks the second wave of civil unrest in Iran in the past year, following weeks-long demonstrations last November and December prompted by frustration over economic mismanagement, but which quickly devolved into calls for the removal of the regime. The renewed pressure puts additional strain on the mullahs as they struggle to contend with biting US sanctions. In response, Tehran has vastly expanded its nuclear activities in a move construed by many as intended to force Europe to provide the Islamic Republic with economic relief. Meanwhile, Khamenei has ordered security forces “to implement their tasks” and for citizens to stay away from demonstrations. Notably, the price of gas in Iran remains one of the lowest in the world at a reported 13 cents a liter, or some 50 cents a gallon.
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