The pressure is maximum on the Iranian regime, and it now comes from all sides. Donald Trump warned on Saturday January 11 that he could not "There will not be another massacre of peaceful demonstrators, nor an internet cut" in Iran, in reference to the protest movement that had taken place in the country in November 2019. "The world is watching"warned the American president on Twitter, both in English and Farsi.
Several hundred students gathered in Saturday evening in the Iranian capital, in response to an invitation to honor the 176 victims of the shot down Ukrainian Boeing " by mistake " by an Iranian missile on Wednesday. The rally at the prestigious Amir Kabir University in Tehran turned into a manifestation of anger.
The crowd launched slogans denouncing " liars " and demanding prosecution of those responsible for the tragedy and those who, according to the demonstrators, attempted to cover it. Iranian police then dispersed students chanting slogans "Destructive" and "Radicals", according to the Iranian news agency Fars.
The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and report facts from the ground on the ongoing pr… https://t.co/DzYmRJeVAZ
"To the brave Iranian people, who have suffered for a long time: I have been by your side since the beginning of my presidency, and my administration will continue to be by your side, also tweeted Donald Trump. We follow your events closely, and your courage inspires us. "
British ambassador arrested
Protests that broke out in mid-November in Iran to protest a sharp increase in the price of gasoline have left more than 300 people dead, according to the NGO Amnesty International. Internet access had been cut several times, including after social media calls for remembrance a month after the protests.
On Saturday, on the sidelines of this new rally, the Iranian authorities briefly arrested the British ambassador in Tehran, said Foreign Minister Dominic Raab.
"The arrest of our ambassador, without foundation or explanation, is a flagrant violation of international law"said Mr. Raab. According to Daily Mail, the Ambassador was arrested for allegedly "Incited" protesters in Tehran who expressed their anger.
He was released about an hour later, the source said. Raab said Iran must choose between "His march towards a pariah status" or "Take steps to de-escalate and embark on the diplomatic path". The United States has appealed to Tehran to apologize for the arrest.
Trudeau "furious"
" Mad "Prime Minister Justin Trudeau demanded that Iran shed light on the Ukrainian Boeing disaster, and called on Tehran to do so. "Take full responsibility", including financial.
"This morning I spoke to Iranian President Rohani and told him that Iran's confession (…) was an important step towards providing answers to the families, but I stressed that other measures must be taken ", said Mr. Trudeau. "We need to shed light on the reasons that caused such a horrible tragedy"he said, demanding that Canada be closely associated with the investigation.
"What Iran has recognized is very serious, shooting down a commercial airliner is horrible, Iran must take full responsibility for it"added Trudeau. He said to himself "Scandalized and furious" and felt that "It should never have happened, even in a period of heightened tension".
Asked whether Ottawa intended to seek financial compensation for the families of Canadian victims, the head of government responded positively. "It is definitely something that is going to have to be part of it" discussions, recognized Mr. Trudeau, who met Friday, far from the cameras, families of victims in Toronto.
