Rouhani warns that Iran’s people will deal with rioters

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned on Monday that the Iranian people will “deal with” rioters and lawbreakers, as the death toll of Sunday’s protests reached double figures.

“Our nation will deal with this minority, who chant slogans against the law and the people’s will and harms the revolution’s sanctities and values,” said Rouhani on his official website. “Criticism and protests are an opportunity, not a threat. The nation will themselves respond to the rioters and lawbreakers.”

Iran’s President said that the republic’s economy needs a major boost. “While the government is determined to solve the people’s problems,” he explained, “we all have to unite.”

Rouhani’s speech followed a fourth night of anti-government protests which have spread to several cities including the capital, Tehran. Protestors are complaining about the country’s difficult economic conditions.

Read: Iran arrests anti-inflation demonstrators

State television reported that six people were killed in the western town of Tuyserkan on Sunday evening, while other media outlets reported that four people were killed in the southern town of Izeh. The protests, which started on Thursday, have seen 12 people killed and hundreds arrested.