Rouhani says Iran water protesters have right to demonstrate

President intervenes after days of protests over shortages in Khuzestan province that have left three dead

Iran's president, Hassan Rouhani, said on Thursday that citizens have the right to protest after days of demonstrations against water shortages in Khuzestan province in which three people have been killed.

The south-western province is Iran's main oil-producing region, but has been struggling with an intense drought since March.