The commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, has called for an end to the street protests that have been going on for more than 40 days. “The protesters must not overload the patience of the system,” the general warned on Saturday, according to a report by state news agency IRNA. “We say it again to our youth: today is the last day of the riots. Don’t go out on the street anymore.”
No one will allow the protesters to continue to create insecurity and turn the country’s universities into a ‘battlefield’. In a speech, the general described the unrest since mid-September as a conspiracy by the United States, Britain, Israel and Saudi Arabia as these countries have suffered political defeats at the hands of Iran in recent years. Young people should not be influenced by this. “Do not become pawns of the enemies of the country,” said the military commander. At the same time, he offered to the protesters: “The way back is still open for you.”
Memory probably kinda failed
Observers took the speech as a warning to end the protests immediately – although it is unlikely to succeed. The authoritarian leadership in Tehran blames foreign powers – especially the United States – for the protests. For more than a month, she has severely restricted the internet and blocked social networks to make collusion between protesters more difficult.
Iran has been rocked by protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini who spent weeks in police custody. The 22-year-old was arrested by moral guardians for allegedly wearing her headscarf incorrectly. At least 250 people have been killed in clashes between security forces and protesters across the country, according to human rights groups. Thousands have reportedly been arrested.
“We condemn all incidents”
The United Nations has expressed “increasing concern” over reports of deaths in protests in Iran. “We condemn all incidents resulting in the death or serious injury of protesters and reiterate that security forces must refrain from any unnecessary or unreasonable use of force against peaceful protesters,” a UN spokesman said Friday (local time) in New York. Those responsible must be held accountable.
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.
