President Hassan Rouhani warned Sunday that riot-hit Iran could not allow “insecurity” after two days of unrest killed two people and saw authorities arrest dozens and restrict internet access.“Protesting is the people’s right, but protesting is different from rioting. We should not allow insecurity in the society,” he said.
Rouhani defended the controversial gasoline price hike that triggered the protests – a project which the government says will finance social welfare spending amid a sharp economic downturn.