Iran blasts Trump for comments on protests

    Iran blasts Trump for comments on protests

Iranian   authorities lashed out at President Trump Tuesday, accusing him interfering in their nation’s domestic affairs with tweets in support of protesters who are engaged in the biggest uprising against the government in Tehran since 2009.

With demonstrations entering their sixth day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi accused Mr. Trump of promoting “fully disarranged and contradictory positions” toward the nation, according to a state media in Tehran.

The assertion came after Mr. Trump had tweeted Tuesday morning that the protests are a result of citizens “finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei did not address Mr. Trump specifically, but lamented broadly that “enemies of Iran” were meddling in the nation’s affairs.

The Associated Press has described the protests — which started in Mashhad, Iran’s second most populous city situated some 550 miles from Tehran — as being driven by public frustration over the nation’s weak economy and a recent jump in food prices.

Demonstrations have spread to several other cities since Thursday, with some protesters chanting against the government and the supreme leader. Hundreds of people have been arrested, according to the AP, which said clashes overnight Monday had left nine people dead.