© Reuters/WANA/Nazanin TabatabaeePeople walk near a burnt bank, one of 731, after protests against increased fuel prices.
Iranians have filed more than 360 lawsuits seeking compensation from the US for the damages caused by the widespread rioting and looting during anti-government protests, as well as for other "crimes committed by the US against our nation," judiciary spokesperson, Gholam Hossein Esmaeili, told reporters on Tuesday.
Esmaeili accused Washington of inciting and supporting the unrest, stressing that American actions directly hurt ordinary Iranian citizens. The courts have awarded over $130 billion in damages to be paid by the US, he said, adding that the Iranian government must now work towards compelling Washington to pay up.
Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli previously said that between 130,000 and 200,000 people participated in the riots across the country, during which 731 banks, 70 gas stations and more than 300 private vehicles were vandalized or burned. A number of protesters and security personnel were killed in the ensuing clashes.
The protests were initially triggered by the government's decision to ration fuel and introduce a fuel price hike in a bid to help poor people amid mounting US sanctions on Iran's energy sector. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo openly backed the protesters, saying last month: "We support you and we will continue to stand with you in your struggle for a brighter future for your people and for your great nation."
Comment: Whether the US financially backed the riots directly or through its cadre of puppet NGOs, it will be expected to pay amends for the consequences of these actions. Perhaps Syria, China, Venezuela...would be interested in billing the US as well. Collection, however, is another matter.