INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
At least 106 people have been killed during protests in Iran over government-set gasoline prices, according to Amnesty International.The
human rights group made the allegation in a report released on Tuesday, citing "credible reports".Iranian officials have not made the death
toll available since the unrest over a rise in prices began over the weekend.Amnesty added that it believes "the real death toll may be much
higher, with some reports suggesting as many as 200 have been killed".Image:Iranian protesters demonstrate in the capital TehranImage:A
scorched branch of Iranian Pasargad bank that was set on fire by protestersIran's Revolutionary Guards have warned of "decisive" action if
protests in the country continue after a least 100 banks, buildings and cars were torched, according to state media.Internet has since been
shut down across the country in a bid to stop protesters from sharing information and videos online, while police and anti-riot forces were
deployed to quell the unrest.Meanwhile, hard-liners in Iran suggested that those who lead violent protests will be executed by hanging as
the unrest continues.Without elaborating, Keyhan newspaper wrote: "Some reports say that judiciary considers execution by hanging for the
riot leaders a definite punishment."The protests appeared to be ongoing in some areas of the country on Tuesday, though the streets of
Tehran appeared mostly calm.It remains unclear how many people have been arrested, injured or killed in the protests, which quickly spread
across at least 100 cities and towns in Iran.State media showed video footage of burned Kurans at one mosque in the suburbs of Tehran, as
well as pro-government rallies.Image:An Iranian man checks a scorched gas station that was set ablaze by protesters The office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a statement saying it was "deeply concerned" about reports of live ammunition being used
against demonstrators and urged protesters to demonstrate peacefully.The protests were prompted by a plunging economy and rising gasoline
prices.Image:A man walks past the entrance of a pedestrian overpass that was vandalised by protesters in Tehran The issues represent yet
another strain on the people of Iran - which has a population of around 80 million - who have endured a painful currency collapse following
President Donald Trump's unilateral withdrawal of America from Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, as well as the re-imposition of
US sanctions.Now, the Iranian rial trades at over 123,000 to $1, compared with 32,000 to $1 at the time the deal took effect.Iran's
President Hassan Rouhani has promised that fuel prices will be used to fund subsidies for low-income families; however, the decision has
sparked widespread anger among Iranians.
