Iran’s armed forces have issued the strongest warning of a “security disruption” in the country. “We will not allow the enemy to take advantage of the situation,” the Iranian news agency INSA said in a statement.
According to the Tasnim agency, the secret service also warned against participating in “illegal gatherings”. Most recently, Justice Chief Gholam-Hussein Mohseni-Edschehi ordered the security forces to crack down on the nationwide protests.
22 year old died
The protests were triggered by the death of 22-year-old Iranian Mahsa Amini. She was arrested by the religious police just over a week ago for violating the strict Islamic dress code.
What exactly happened to Amini after her arrest is unclear. Anyway, she went into a coma and died in a hospital on Friday last week.
Critics accuse the religious police of using violence. The police deny the allegations. Since then, thousands of people have been demonstrating across the country against the government’s repressive course. There were several deaths – how many exactly is unclear.
Germany demands clarification
The German government, however, asked Iran to clarify the circumstances of the death. “A rapid and immediate investigation of the death is important,” said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit. The federal government was “equally dismayed that numerous other people apparently lost their lives in the nationwide protests over the death of Ms. Amini”.
Regarding possible reactions to the incidents in Iran, a spokeswoman for the Federal Foreign Office said that Germany is currently discussing a joint approach with partners at EU level. Nothing can be said about possible concrete steps at the moment.