The chief of Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was briefing parliament over the killing of Soleimani, Tehran’s retaliation and the subsequent downing Ukrainian airliner, according to the the semi-official ISNA news agency.
Major General Hossein Salami was addressing the members of the Majles in a closed session, ISNA reported.
Twitter users decry Trump’s Tweets
Twitter users criticised Trump for saying he stood in solidarity with the Iranian people, noting that he previously threatened to attack 52 Iranian sites “very hard” as tensions between the two nations escalated earlier this month.
“How about you sit down and mind your own business?!” one Twitter user said.
“Only on planet Trump can you ban Iranians from visiting their family in the US, deny them access to life-saving drugs, threaten to bomb their cultural heritage, and then claim that you are in solidarity with them,” another Twitter said, referring to US sanctions against Iran and the US administration’s Muslim ban.
Trump ‘monitoring protests’ in Iran
US President Donald Trump told Iranians in tweets in both English and Farsi that he stands by them and is monitoring the demonstrations.
“To the brave, long-suffering people of Iran: I’ve stood with you since the beginning of my Presidency, and my Administration will continue to stand with you,” he tweeted.
“There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching,” he added.
“We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage,” he said.