In view of the ongoing protests in Iran, President Ebrahim Raisi has issued a conciliatory note for the first time. “I have always said that we need to increase our tolerance level for criticism and also for protests,” Raisi said on Wednesday. The cleric also announced possible reforms.
“The implementation of the laws could also be reformed and revised. This would even benefit the country,” said the 61-year-old. In a live interview with state broadcaster Irib, however, he left open which laws could be revised and whether Islamic laws such as the headscarf ban would also be included.
22-year-old died in custody
The protests were triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. The moral police had her arrested for her alleged “un-Islamic outfit”. What exactly happened to Amini after her arrest is unclear. The young woman fell into a coma and died in a hospital on September 16. Critics accuse the morality police of using force. Police strongly deny the charges. Since then, thousands of people across the country have been demonstrating against the government’s repressive course.
Raisi emphasized, however, that protests should not lead to riots. “For us, the threat to national security is the red line that must not be crossed,” said the 61-year-old. The riots of the past few days were staged by Iran’s enemies to “bring the country and the Islamic system to a halt”. The president warned that police would act consistently against the rioters and that the judiciary would severely punish mercenaries hired from abroad.
Media: Iran attacks Kurdish groups in Iraq
According to media reports, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has been bombing Kurdish bases in neighboring Iraq since Saturday. This is justified as a “legitimate response” to previous attacks by Kurdish groups on Iranian military bases in the border area, it said. Kurdish groups are accused of being involved in the protests in Iran. Kurdish weapons were allegedly delivered to protesters.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
