Summary
Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard warned anti-government protesters Monday of "decisive" action if unrest over gasoline price hikes do not cease, state media said, in a hint that a harsh security crackdown could be on the cards.
The Guard and its affiliated Basij militia quelled that bout of unrest, in which at least 22 people were killed.
The Iranian leadership is anxious to end the unrest to avoid giving ammunition to Western, especially U.S., criticism of the Islamic Republic elite as allegedly corrupt and unaccountable. President Hassan Rouhani's government said the gasoline price hikes were intended to raise around $2.55 billion a year for extra subsidies to 18 million families -- or roughly 60 million Iranians -- struggling on low incomes.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Sunday blamed the turmoil on Iran's opponents and foreign foes, denouncing protesters who attacked public property as "thugs".
...