Iran’s top leader warns ‘thugs’ as protests reach 100 cities

Iran’s supreme leader on Sunday cautiously backed the government’s decision to raise gasoline prices by 50% after days of widespread protests, calling those who attacked public property during demonstrations “thugs” and signaling that a potential crackdown loomed.

The government shut down internet access across the nation of 80 million people to staunch demonstrations that took place in a reported 100 cities and towns. That made it increasingly difficult to gauge whether unrest continued. Images published by state and semi-official media showed the scale of the damage in images of burned gas stations and banks, torched vehicles and roadways littered with debris.

It remains to be seen how many people were arrested, injured or killed. Videos from the protests have shown people gravely wounded.

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