IFP Exclusive

Turks Break iPhones into Pieces in Response to Erdogan’s Call

A number of Turkish citizens have broken their iPhones into pieces in response to a call by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to boycott US electronics amid escalating tensions between Ankara and Washington.

The Turks published videos of themselves breaking iPhones on social media, vowing to support their government which is standing up to the bullying US.

Erdogan said on Tuesday the country will boycott US electronic goods in response to US measures meant to punish Turkey.

Erdogan suggested Turks would stop procuring US-made iPhones and instead buy Korean Samsung or Turkish-made Vestel.

“If they have the iPhone, there is Samsung elsewhere. We have Vestel,” AP quoted him as saying.

Last week, Washington imposed sanctions and raised tariffs against Ankara over the continued detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson.

Brunson, who has lived for two decades in Turkey, was arrested in 2016 and charged with having terrorist connections. He is also accused of having links to the failed coup attempt that year. Having spent two years in jail, his trial is due to resume in October.

 

Turks Forming Lines to Buy Lira

The sanctions are believed to have further exacerbated economic turmoil in Turkey, which some believe has its roots in misguided economic policies of the government in recent years.

The Turkish lira plummeted to a record low on Monday, losing nearly 40 percent of its value since the start of 2018.

Erdogan blamed the crash of the lira on America, claiming a “political, underhand plot” had sent the value of his country’s currency falling to record lows.

Erdogan also renewed a call for Turks to convert their dollars into the lira, to help strengthen the currency.

Switching to foreign currency would mean giving in to the enemy, he added.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Erdogan’s supporters have formed lines outside foreign exchange offices to buy lira.

Turks have also launched a Twitter campaign under the hashtag #Emperyalizmeköleolmaycağız (We will not be slaves to imperialism).

IFP Editorial Staff

The IFP Editorial Staff is composed of dozens of skilled journalists, news-writers, and analysts whose works are edited and published by experienced editors specialized in Iran News. The editor of each IFP Service is responsible for the report published by the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website, and can be contacted through the ways mentioned in the "IFP Editorial Staff" section.

Recent Posts

Senior advisor to Iran FM: No immediate plans to adjust military advisors in Syria

Ali Asghar Khaji, a Senior Advisor to Iran’s Foreign Minister, stated in an interview with…

3 hours ago

Biden, Xi to discuss China’s support for Russia at APEC summit

US President Joe Biden will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of…

5 hours ago

Rights group accuses Israel of crimes against humanity over forced displacement of Gazans

Israel is using evacuation orders to pursue the “deliberate and massive forced displacement” of Palestinian…

5 hours ago

Iran to give ‘immediate response’ to any anti-Tehran resolution by IAEA: Nuclear chief

Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), has warned of…

5 hours ago

Trump seeking to bring Ukraine, Russia to negotiating table: US National security advisor nominee

Donald Trump wants to bring Moscow and Kyiv to the negotiating table to end the…

5 hours ago

Army commander: Iran to deliver crushing response to Israel

The Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army, Major General Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi, has vowed a decisive…

5 hours ago