Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said protests against President Hassan Rouhani last week were “staged” and warned of a “violent movement” threatening his government and policies.
“At a time when the president has traveled to protect the nation and its dignity, and has been approved by the Supreme Leader, this current is seeking to undermine the government in ways that are strongly condemned by the Supreme Leader,” Khatami said in an address to veterans of the Iran-Iraq war yesterday, according to the Tehran-based Shargh newspaper.