Iran condemns UN criticism of deaths during protests in Khuzestan | The powerful 790 KFGO

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(Reuters) Iran on Saturday dismissed as meddling in its internal affairs criticism by the UN human rights boss over the shooting deaths of protesters during protests over water shortages.

Meanwhile, rallies in support of protests in southwestern Khuzestan province spread to the country’s northwest on Saturday, according to videos posted on social media.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Friday expressed concern over the deaths and injuries and widespread detentions over the past week in oil-rich Khuzestan.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said in a statement released by Iranian media that Bachelet’s interventionist and non-expert and biased comments on the management of the country’s water resources fell outside the responsibilities of commissioners.

In addition to the drought, Khatibzadeh said US sanctions have prevented technology transfer and investment in Khuzestan’s water sector.

Iranians have taken to the streets for more than a week to express their anger over shortages during the country’s worst drought in half a century and as the economy cracks under US sanctions and COVID-19.

Videos on social media on Saturday showed groups of protesters chanting slogans in the northwestern town of Tabriz in support of protesters in Khuzestan. Reuters could not verify the images.

Late Thursday, a youth was shot dead and seven others were injured during solidarity protests in Lorestan province, neighboring Khuzestan, a police official said, accusing the counter-revolutionaries of the violence.

Social media videos on Friday showed protesters in the town of Aligudarz chanting slogans against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

At least one policeman and three young men had been shot dead in earlier protests, according to Iranian officials who blamed the rioters for the death.

However, Amnesty International said at least eight people were killed during the unrest.

The press agency for human rights activists (HRANA) said on Saturday it was able to identify 10 killed and 102 detained.

Witnesses spoke on Saturday of a strong security presence in Khuzestan.

Mobile internet is still down and there are security forces everywhere, a resident of the provincial capital Ahvaz told Reuters, who asked not to be named.

Khamenei on Friday called on authorities to deal with the crisis, saying people could not be blamed for protesting the water shortages.

Reflecting Khameneis’ position, President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday: With the exception of a few, people are exercising their legal right to protest.

(Edited by Alex Richardson)

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