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Source: https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/11/20/iran-protests-trump-sanctions-inflicting-serious-pain/
Iran Protests Suggest U.S. Sanctions Are Inflicting Serious Pain
(Foreign Policy) Keith Johnson - The Iranian government's response to the latest explosion of popular protest has been much more brutal than in previous outbreaks of protest, such as in 2017-2018, including a near-total shutdown of the Internet and unrestrained use of violence by security forces. The brutal crackdown is evidence of the regime's desperation. "They did the [fuel price] reform because they are broke," said Alireza Nader, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. "People can't afford a 300 percent increase in gas prices, but the regime didn't have any other choice." "This is a full rebellion, not a fuel protest," said Nader. "The regime wants an Internet blackout so they can massacre their way out of this. But there is no way out. Even if this round is crushed, there will be more of this."