Iran President Tells Security Forces Not to Harm Protesters

Iran’s president ordered security forces not to target peaceful protesters, a bid to defuse violent unrest that activists say has left at least 36 people dead.

“No security action should be taken” against those protesting economic hardship as long as they don’t compromise national security, President Masoud Pezeshkian’s deputy Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah cited him as saying on Wednesday, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.