Police Have Zero-Tolerance Approach to Anti-Security Moves in Iran: Spokesman
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The spokesman for the Iranian Law Enforcement Force warned that it will harshly deal with those undermining order and security in the country amid protests following the government’s move to increase gasoline prices.
“Following the implementation of the plan for fuel management and the correction of gasoline price, some protests were staged by a number of people…,” General Ahmad Nourian said on Sunday.
“At the current juncture, elements led by overseas insurgents and domestic opportunists have exploited the demands of the people and disrupted public order and security and with disruptive behaviors have damaged public property…,” he noted.
“It should be noted that the Law Enforcement Force, while respecting the public rights, will not tolerate those disrupting order and security and will harshly deal with them…,” the spokesman said.
Earlier and in comments at a religious course in Tehran on Sunday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei warned that the sporadic protests and acts of vandalism in Iran would create insecurity.
Describing insecurity as the worst calamity for a society, the Leader said “the whole centers of evil in the world” have mobilized efforts in recent days to encourage unrest in Iran.
Ayatollah Khamenei also called on the Iranian authorities to be careful that the rise in the price of fuel would not increase the price of other commodities.
The Leader also called on the people to separate themselves from a group of thugs who are encouraged by the foreign-based anti-Iranian front to foment insecurity.
Following a hike in the price of gasoline on Thursday midnight, a number of Iranian cities saw sporadic protesters that turned violent in some cases.
A number of banks and government buildings have been reportedly set ablaze.
Officials have confirmed that at least one person has been killed in the protests.
