Iranian President Sparks Fury by Rejecting Protest Death Estimates, Calling Critics 'Traitors'
President Masoud Pezeshkian's dismissal of higher death tolls from January's protests and branding of those citing them as traitors has drawn widespread domestic backlash.
President Masoud Pezeshkian drew fierce domestic backlash after an interview published on Wednesday in which he rejected higher estimates of the death toll from Iran’s January protests. He also described those who cite such figures as 'traitors.'
The remarks sparked immediate anger among Iranians, with many viewing the president’s stance as dismissive of the grievances surrounding the crackdown. The January protests remain a deeply divisive issue.
The episode risks further eroding public trust in the government at a time of mounting economic pressure and geopolitical uncertainty.
Source: First Squawk