Sanctions crippled the Iranian economy. Ordinary people initially took to the streets to protest these conditions. Later, rioters backed by Israel, by Israeli admission, joined in, escalating the situation toward civil conflict and attacking mosques even when people including kids are inside and police officers. The Iranian autocratic regime then used these events as justification to suppress all protests indiscriminately. Violence occurred on both sides, and it difficult to find fully trustworthy sources on the situation