Iran TV: Supreme leader backs government on gas price hikes
(WorldNews Entertainment)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Iran´s supreme leader on Sunday backed the government´s decision to raise gasoline prices and called angry protesters who have been setting fire to public property over the hike `thugs,` signaling a potential crackdown on the demonstrations. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei´s comments came as authorities apparently shut down the internet across Iran to smother the protests in some two dozen cities and towns over the rise of government-set prices by 50% as of Friday. Since the hike, demonstrators have abandoned their cars along major highways and joined mass protests in the capital, Tehran, and elsewhere. Some protests turned violent, with demonstrators setting fires...