Moderate camp in Iranian ruling elite condemns violence – and US

2 January 2018, 5:03 pm

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TEHRAN, Iran — The more moderate branch of Iran’s ruling religious movement condemns the violence that has rocked the country in recent days, accusing the US of stirring unrest while still calling on the government to address economic grievances.

“Without doubt the Iranian people are confronted with difficulties in their daily lives, but the events of recent days have shown that opportunists and troublemakers have exploited the demonstrations to create problems,” says a statement from the Association of Religious Combatants, headed by the reformist ex-president and cleric Mohammad Khatami.

“The enemies of Iran, headed by the United States and their agents… have encouraged the troublemakers and the violent actions.”

— Agencies