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Iranian president says water protesters have right to take to the streets as crisis deepens

IRANIAN President Hasan Rouhani said on Thursday that those protesting against severe water shortages have a right to do so, in a message broadcast on state television on Thursday.

He said that this includes “the right to speak, express themselves, protest and even take to the streets within the framework of the regulations.”

Mr Rouhani was responding to a growing crisis which has seen demonstrations spread from the largely Arab Khuzestan province to a number of other areas.

At least three people have been killed since the protests began and many more detained.

Mr Rouhani has blamed the deaths on “armed groups” that have infiltrated the movement, shooting at protesters and police.

The water crisis has worsened as temperatures soar to above 50 degrees in some areas. 

The Iranian authorities have also been blamed for a string of poorly designed dams along the rivers of Khuzestan province.

Iran faces frequent electricity blackouts, party due to the impact of US-imposed sanctions.

Authorities claimed that they released those detained during the Khuzestan protests “who had not committed a criminal act.”

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