WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump threw his support on Saturday behind Iranian anti-government protesters after Tehran's unintentional downing of a Ukraine plane.
"To the brave, long-suffering people of Iran: I've stood with you since the beginning of my Presidency, and my Administration will continue to stand with you," Trump said on Twitter.
To the brave, long-suffering people of Iran: I've stood with you since the beginning of my Presidency, and my Administration will continue to stand with you. We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2020
Protests erupted in Tehran and other cities against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after Iran admitted it "unintentionally" shot down a passenger plane belonging to the Ukraine International Airlines.
According to the New York Times that cited videos, some protestors shouted "Khamenei is a murderer!"
"We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage," said Trump.
He also tweeted the message in Farsi.
دولت ایران باید به گروههای حقوق بشر اجازه بدهد حقیقت کنونی اعتراضات در جریان مردم ایران را نظارت کرده و گزارش بدهند. نباید شاهد کشتار دوباره ی معترضان مسالمت آمیز و یا قطع اینترنت باشیم. جهان نظاره گر این اتفاقات است.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2020
In a separate tweet shortly after appealing to anti-government protesters, Trump urged Tehran to let human rights groups monitor demonstrations, saying the world is watching the protests.
"The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and report facts from the ground on the ongoing protests by the Iranian people. There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching," Trump wrote.
The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and report facts from the ground on the ongoing protests by the Iranian people. There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2020
All 176 people, including 57 Canadians, on board the plane were killed in the accident that took place just after takeoff Wednesday from Tehran.
Of the passengers, 138 were flying from Tehran to Ukraine’s capital of Kiev, then were to board connecting flights to Canada.
A few hours before the crash, Iran fired missiles at bases in Iraq where US and coalition troops were stationed. The attack was revenge for the US’s killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
Iranian officials said its military was on high alert in case of American retaliation and it led to believing the doomed plane was an enemy aircraft.
Flight PS752 took off and flew close to a “sensitive military spot” and the plane was brought down due to “human error.”
“Human error at a time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster,” Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter.
A sad day. Preliminary conclusions of internal investigation by Armed Forces:
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 11, 2020
Human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster
Our profound regrets, apologies and condolences to our people, to the families of all victims, and to other affected nations.
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