Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei doubled down Wednesday on his unsupported accusations that the uprising rocking Iran is orchestrated by the country’s foreign enemies, as authorities further tightened internet restrictions to make it harder for protesters to spread information about the violent government crackdown.
Meanwhile, strikes by shopkeepers spread to Iran’s second-most populous city, Mashhad, according to social-media posts. The city is a stronghold for the country’s hard-liners, including Mr. Khamenei and President
Ebrahim Raisi.
Mashhad shopkeepers joined strikes under way in the capital Tehran and other cities across the country.
The death toll from the uprising has increased to at least 201, including 23 minors, according to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights nonprofit.
Demonstrations began nearly four weeks ago when Iranians erupted in anger over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in custody of the morality police, which had detained her for allegedly not adhering to the country’s strict Islamic dress code. The protest movement initially coalesced around calls to abolish the mandatory Islamic veil known as the hijab, but quickly expanded into calls to overthrow the Islamic Republic.
Who Is Mahsa Amini, and Why Did Her Death Spark Protests in Iran?
The Iranian leadership has shown no sign that it is willing to compromise.
Mr. Khamenei repeated allegations that the “scattered riots” were designed by Iran’s enemies, likely referring to the U.S. and Israel as in the past.
“As long as the nation is on the path of the Islamic system and religious values, these hostilities will continue and the only way to cure it is to resist,” Mr. Khamenei said following a meeting with the administrative Expediency Discernment Council, according to his website.
“The country’s officials should also be careful that such issues do not prevent them from their main responsibilities and duties in the domestic and foreign arenas,” Mr. Khamenei said.
Following mass arrests in recent weeks, dozens of lawyers gathered in protest Wednesday in front of Iran’s Central Bar association, where security forces used tear gas to disperse them, according to social-media posts.
Large street protests have subsided and the uprising has moved into a new phase marked by protests inside and…
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