Trump warns Iran against “massacre of peaceful protesters”

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Sunday has warned Iran against trying to crack down on protests that broke out after it acknowledged shooting down a Ukranian plane by mistake, killing all 176 passengers on board.

U.S President Donald Trump in a tweet said, “The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and report facts from the ground on the ongoing protests by the Iranian people. There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching.”

The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and report facts from the ground on the ongoing protests by the Iranian people. There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2020

Trump’s message came after Iranian police expelled students shouting “evil” slogans during a Saturday rally in Tehran to remember those killed when the Ukrainian International Airlines plane was shot down right after taking off from Tehran.

READ MORE: Iran admits involvement in shooting down Ukrainian airplane

Media reported that hundreds of students assembled at Amir Kabir University in downtown Tehran early in the evening to pay respects to those killed in the air disaster, the tribute later turned into a violent protest.