Iran's president says security forces should not target peaceful protesters

Iran's president ordered security forces not to target peaceful protesters, as demonstrations that began after a sharp fall in the rial and rising prices have spread across the country.

Iran's president has ordered security forces not to target peaceful protesters, the deputy to President Masoud Pezeshkian said, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. The unrest began after the rial fell sharply and inflation pushed up prices, and demonstrations have spread from Tehran to other cities. Officials say force should be used only if national security is threatened or if people attack police or military facilities. The government controls the police but not the Basij volunteer units, which are part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and answer to the Supreme Leader. Current facts: - The president's deputy, Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah, quoted Pezeshkian as saying "no security action should be taken" against those protesting economic hardship so long as they do not compromise national security, as reported by Fars. - Officials distinguish peaceful protesters from those who "take up arms" or attack police or military sites, whom they describe as rioters. - Multiple security forces have been deployed; the police answer to the government while Basij units are part of the IRGC under the Supreme Leader's command. - The Human Rights Activists News Agency reported at least 36 people killed and more than 2,000 arrested in the protests so far, and Fars reported resignations among central bank officials amid the currency fall. Summary: The president's public instruction is presented as an effort to limit force against peaceful demonstrators while authorities continue to confront unrest that began over the currency crash. Undetermined at this time.