(Photo Credit: Associated Press)

Iranian protests continue after Ukrainian jet attack

After Iranian leaders admitted they accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet, killing everyone on board, thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran’s Azadi Square to protest the ruling Islamic regime. Many chanted “Death to the dictator.”

Riot police fired tear gas into the crowd, and some protesters reported gunshots. The United Nations confirmed that police were “shooting to kill.”

The anti-government protests provided a sharp contrast to scenes broadcast from Iran last week, when millions of mourners turned out for the funeral of General Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. military strike in Baghdad. At Soleimani’s funeral, the crowds chanted “Death to America.”

But according to Reuters, the anti-government protesters on Sunday chanted, “They are lying that our enemy is America, our enemy is right here.”

President Trump tweeted support for the demonstrators and warned Iran to stop killing its own people.

“To the leaders of Iran – DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS. Thousands have already been killed or imprisoned by you, and the World is watching. More importantly, the USA is watching. Turn your internet back on and let reporters roam free! Stop the killing of your great Iranian people!” Trump tweeted.

Trump also tweeted a message in Farsi offering words of encouragement to the protesters.