Economics

Iran State TV Says ‘Rioters’ Shot And Killed in Multiple Cities

People inspect a burned out bus following a demonstration against rises in gasoline prices, in Isfahan, Iran, on Nov. 17.

Source: AFP via Getty Images

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Iran acknowledged for the first time Tuesday that its security forces shot and killed protesters across the country to put down demonstrations last month over the sharply spiking price of gasoline, the deadliest unrest to hit the country since the turmoil of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

A report by Iranian state television sought to portray those killed as “rioters” or foreign-backed insurgents who threatened military posts, oil tanks and the public. It acknowledged that the violence also killed passers-by, security forces and peaceful protesters without assigning blame.