President Donald Trump on Sunday tweeted another warning to Iranian leaders -- "DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS" -- as thousands of anti-government protesters gathered in Iran this weekend following Tehran's admittance it mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet, killing all 176 people on board, CNN reports.
'The world is watching': Trump again warns Iran's leaders about protesters
STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 13, ARTSAKHPRESS: "To the leaders of Iran - DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS. Thousands have already been killed or imprisoned by you, and the World is watching," Trump wrote. "More importantly, the USA is watching. Turn your internet back on and let reporters roam free! Stop the killing of your great Iranian people!"
The tweet comes hours after the president voiced his administration's support for the protesters, writing on Twitter that he has "stood" with them since he took office nearly three years ago.
Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crashed Wednesday after takeoff from Tehran's airport. The crash came hours after Iran fired missiles at Iraqi military bases housing US troops in retaliation for a US drone strike at Baghdad airport that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani.
Thousands of anti-government protesters gathered on Saturday outside the gates of Amir Kabir University, near the former US embassy in Tehran, to denounce the plane crash the government had blamed on human error and "US adventurism."
In a video posted on social media, protesters chanted for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to step down and for those responsible for downing the plane to be prosecuted. "Death to the dictator," some chanted. In one video, demonstrators chanted, "Khamenei have shame. Leave the country."