Iran's Rouhani backs people's right to protest

Authorities restricted access to Iran's most popular social-media platform in response to one of the biggest shows of dissent against the country's leadership in years

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said his country’s people have the right to protest and criticize but that such actions must be for the good — and rejected US President Donald Trump’s backing of demonstrators.

Rouhani first comments since protests against the condition of Iran’s economy started on December  28, were reported by the semi-official ISNA news agency following an Iranian cabinet meeting in Tehran. Earlier on Sunday, Iran restricted social media access, drawing a fresh rebuke from Trump. The government won’t tolerate damage to public property and protesters who cause social disruption, Rouhani said, adding that demonstrations shouldn’t make the public