Iran mocks Trump ‘blunder’ on supporting protesters

Iran’s foreign minister mocked the U.S. on Friday, describing as a “blunder” the Trump administration’s call for an emergency United Nations (U.N.) Security Council meeting on Iranian anti-government protests.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s comments came after U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley called for a series of emergency sessions with the U.N. Security Council in response to the spreading protests, which have led to the deaths of 21 people and the arrests of hundreds of others. 

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“The U.N. must speak out,” Haley said at a press conference this week, calling on the U.N.’s leading nations to address the nation’s human rights abuses.

“We must not be silent. The people of Iran are crying out for freedom,” she said. 

Zarif tweeted after the first emergency session Friday that the U.N. Security Council had “rebuffed the US’ naked attempt to hijack its mandate.”

The UNSC rebuffed the US’ naked attempt to hijack its mandate. Majority emphasized the need to fully implement the JCPOA and to refrain from interfering in internal affairs of others. Another FP blunder for the Trump administration. Iran’s statement: https://t.co/QsbihBW69V

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 5, 2018

Protesters initially took to the streets on Dec. 28 in frustration over the country’s struggling economy and high unemployment rates, but the protests have spread to other major cities and some are now calling to overthrow the government. 

The Trump administration has voiced support for the protesters, with President Trump praising the actions taken against the “brutal and corrupt regime” and Vice President Pence penning an op-ed in The Washington Post saying the people of Iran would not be forgotten under the U.S. administration.

On Saturday, Iran’s state television showed government supporters rallying in several cities, with many chanting slogans against the U.S. and Israel, according to The Associated Press.