Sixth Day of Protests; Security Measures Intensified in Tehran, Demonstrations Continue in Other Cities

With tightened security measures in Tehran, Iran’s state news agencies have reported “relative calm” in the capital. This comes as protests continued in several Iranian cities on Tuesday, December 12.

According to ISNA, the political security deputy of Tehran’s governorate stated that “in none of the points in Tehran that witnessed unrest in previous nights did any gathering occur on Tuesday night, and the city ultimately maintains security.”

However, images and television footage from state news agencies show the widespread presence of security forces and riot police on Tehran’s streets.

Social media images have been circulated showing protests in Gohardasht, Karaj in Alborz province. This comes despite the IRIB news agency reporting, citing Karaj’s security and law enforcement officials, that the city was calm on Tuesday night.

In this regard, the chief judge of Alborz on Tuesday announced that holding any kind of occupational gatherings in the province is banned until further notice.

According to ISNA, Ahmad Fazlian stated, “From today until further notice, in order to prevent rioters and adversaries from taking advantage, no occupational and non-occupational gatherings will be permitted, and any gathering constitutes illegal activity and a threat to national security, and those responsible will be dealt with accordingly.”

Some reports on social media indicate that a protest gathering was held in Ahvaz on Tuesday. Reuters, citing Ahvaz residents, reported that security forces fired tear gas at the protesters.

Images of protests in the city of Hamedan have also been circulated.

Reports on social media indicate that protest gatherings were held in Khomeini Shahr, Abadan, Dezful, and Masjed Soleiman.

This comes as IRIB reports that two motorcyclists, passing in front of the Lanjan county governorate office in Isfahan province, fired on a security post with a shotgun where a security officer and two military conscripts were stationed.

The report adds that no one was injured in this incident.

Ebrahim Haidari, the director general of endowments in Mazandaran province, also stated that in the early hours of Tuesday morning, “three shrines in the Shirgah area and northern Savadkuh and Qayem City military road” came under attack, with one of the buildings completely burned down due to its wooden roof.

He reported the arrest of three people in connection with this incident.

Arrests Related to Dorud Protests

Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence also announced on Tuesday that an individual was arrested in connection with the incidents in Dorud in Lorestan province.

According to IRNA, the Ministry of Intelligence states that this individual, “in collusion with other accused persons, engaged in the destruction of public property and by stealing a fire truck caused the death and injury of citizens.”

The identity of this individual was not disclosed in the statement. However, the Ministry of Intelligence states that this person was arrested after going into hiding in the suburbs of Tehran.

A parliamentary representative previously stated that in Saturday clashes in Dorud, two people were killed and six injured.

The Iranian protests, which began last Thursday from Mashhad, Nishapur, and Kashmar and quickly spread to other cities, represent the most widespread unrest in Iran over the past eight years.

Official statistics indicate that 21 people have been killed in the cities of Toyserkan, Dorud, Izeh, Shahin Shahr, and Kahderijan.

Iran’s security officials have also reported the arrest of over one thousand people in these protests.

Source: Radio Farda