Iran was largely cut off from the outside world YESTERDAY after authorities blacked out the internet to curb growing unrest, as videos posted online showed buildings and vehicles ablaze in antigovernmental protests raging through the streets of several cities. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has ultimate power in Iran, has dismissed the protesters as vandals trying to please US President Donald Trump, who threatened to hit Iran very hard if government forces kill protesters. In a televised address Khamenei vowed not to back down. Protests began late last month with people demonstrating over rising inflation and the fall of the local currency, but soon spread to universities and provincial cities. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Naeem Jeenah, Senior Researcher from the Mapungubwe Institute For Strategic Reflection