New York Times Describes Iran Protests as ‘Worst’ Unrest in Past 40 Years

The New York Times described events as the “worst” unrest in Iran over the past four decades in its top headline on Sunday, December 1st, referring to the killing of at least 180 people in November protests.

In the American newspaper’s report, the death toll from Iran’s protests is stated as “at least 180 people.”

Officials of the Islamic Republic continue to avoid providing statistics on the deaths, although some have rejected the figures presented outside of Iran.

On the other hand, various estimates suggest that between at least 161 to 366 people have been killed during clashes with protests by various security forces.

However, the New York Times reflects the greater pessimism of some observers who say the actual number of deaths could be hundreds more than estimates and reach around 450 people.

The newspaper says that in many large and small cities that saw protests in the brief period following the gasoline price hike, security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters: “In the city of Mahshahr alone, witnesses and emergency officials reported the killing of 40 to 100 people by Revolutionary Guards forces, many of whom were young.”

The newspaper specifically examined the deadly events in Mahshahr in its report and reflected the statements of several citizens, residents, and protesters.

The story of the confrontation with protesters in Mahshahr and the existing accounts have been reflected several times in recent days. Including the killing of several protesters who had taken refuge in the marshes surrounding the Jarrahi neighborhood or Chammran in Mahshahr to escape security forces.

Concerns about the extent of violence in Mahshahr even reached the floor of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. On December 26th, Mohammad Golmaradi, the representative of Mahshahr, raised serious protests, and when he moved toward the podium of the Presidium to continue expressing them, several members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly prevented him.

The New York Times says that in cities such as Shiraz and Shahriar, dozens of people have also been killed, according to reports, as a result of security forces firing on unarmed protesters.

The American newspaper cited the example of the 2009 protests in describing the increase in violence, during which 72 people were killed over a much longer period of time.

According to the New York Times, recent developments in Iran not only reflect an increasing level of internal anger and discontent with the leadership apparatus of the Islamic Republic, but also reflect serious political and economic challenges facing Tehran; from the Trump administration’s sanctions to increased discontent and protests against the Islamic Republic in Middle Eastern countries.

The newspaper says many Iranians, dissatisfied and bewildered by the situation, have directed their anger directly at the leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. A person who described the crackdowns as a fair reaction to the conspiracy of internal and external enemies.

This is a reference by the newspaper to the speeches of the leader of the Islamic Republic in recent days, in which he described the protests as “a deep, extensive, and very dangerous conspiracy” or asked the Basij forces to be present “in all neighborhoods.”

Citing analyses by political analysts, the New York Times raised the possibility that Iran will witness the return of hardline groups to parliament and government in the coming two years.

Analysts told this newspaper that the violent response to protests is likely also a sign of a deepening rift that has formed between the leaders of the Islamic Republic and a large portion of the country’s 83 million population.

Source: Radio Farda