Rouhani hits back at Trump saying he has no right to sympathize with protesters

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said Sunday that his US counterpart Donald Trump had “no right” to sympathize with Iranian protesters who he has previously called “terrorists”.

“This man who today in America wants to sympathize with our people has forgotten that a few months ago he called the nation of Iran terrorist,” Rouhani told a cabinet meeting, according to the state broadcaster.

“This person whose whole being is against the nation of Iran has no right to feel pity for the people of Iran.”

He added that government bodies must provide “space for criticism” as he sought to head off days of unrest, but warned protesters that violence was unacceptable.

“Criticism is different to violence and destroying public property,” he said in a cabinet meeting, according to the state broadcaster.

“Government bodies should provide space for legal criticism and protest,” Rouhani said in his first public comments since the protests began on Thursday.