Referring to protests in Iran following the government’s decision to raise gas prices, President Trump took to Twitter to contend that “Iran has become so unstable that the regime has shut down their entire Internet system so that the great Iranian people cannot talk about the tremendous violence taking place within the country”. He added that “they want zero transparency, thinking the world will not find out the death and tragedy that the Iranian regime is causing”. In related comments, Vice President Pence reiterated that “as Iranians take to the streets in protest, the ayatollahs in Tehran continue to use violence and imprisonment to oppress their people. The U.S.’s message is clear: the American people stand with the people of Iran”. Secretary of State Pompeo additionally called on “Iranian protestors to send us their videos, photos and information documenting the regime’s crackdown on protesters”, adding that “the U.S. will expose and sanction the abuses”.