This archive report was first published on 18 November 2019.
On November 17, 2019, violent protests erupted in Iran following a petrol price hike. The price of petrol rose to 15,000 rials a litre (12 US cents) from 10,000 for the first 60 litres and to 30,000 rials for any extra fuel bought after that each month.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed support for the protesters in a tweet, saying 'the United States is with you.' Iran's foreign ministry responded by condemning Pompeo's comments, calling them 'hypocritical remarks' that 'do not carry any honest sympathy.'
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi slammed Pompeo's comments, saying 'the acts of a rioter and saboteur group supported by the likes of (Pompeo) have no congruity with the conduct of the wise Iranian people.'
The statement also blasted Washington's 'ill-intent' over its decision to reimpose sanctions on Tehran after the US withdrawal in May last year from the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
