General Staff of Armed forces comment on latest events in Iran

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The General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces issued a statement on Friday about the events that have taken place in the country in recent days, warning "hostile organizations against attempts to tamper with stability".

Read more: What is happening in Iran?

"The police forces have dealt with the events that took place in the recent days patiently so the rioters and mercenary terrorists were illuded that they could destabilize the country's security and target the police's ability," the General Staff said in a statement.

"The Iranian people revealed the true faces of the treacherous rioters by distancing themselves from them," the statement stressed.

The Iranian Armed Forces offered, "condolences on the death of the late Mahsa Amini", but at the same time warned "anti-revolutionary organizations", stressing that they "will not allow violation of security in the country, and will firmly confront anyone who destabilizes."

Read more: Iran denounces West's meddling in internal affairs, Mahsa Amini’s case

Earlier today, the border guards of the East Azerbaijan province announced the arrest of a terrorist cell, including two elements who were planning to carry out sabotage operations inside the country, and in possession of a quantity of weapons and ammunition.

The Iranian army commented on the protests and riots taking place in several regions following the death of the young woman Mahsa Amini, stating that "these desperate measures are a malicious strategy of the enemies, aimed at weakening the position of the Islamic republic and the unity of the people," stressing the readiness of the army to confront "various conspiracies woven by enemies."

The Command of Internal Security Forces in the province of Gilan, northern Iran, announced the "arrest of 211 elements of the rioters", and revealed the confiscation of "firearms and cold weapons that were in the possession of the rioters," adding that they will be transferred to the specialized Judiciary.

Mass demonstrations in support of stability and public order

Mass demonstrations began in Tehran and other Iranian cities on Friday, raising slogans in support of the Islamic Republic and rejecting the riots that caused deaths and injuries among security forces and civilians.

The riots caused damage to public property

Earlier today, Javad Hamidi, Mayor of the Municipality of Bejnord in the north-eastern province of Khorasan, said that "a group of rioters attacked the city center last Wednesday, causing damage to public property estimated at 10 billion Tomans". 

The Iranian ISNA agency said that the governor of the city of Malayer, which is part of the western province of Hamadan, reported that, "69 rioters were arrested on Thursday, who were in possession of a number of firearms, bladed weapons and explosive materials". 

The Iranian IRNA reported two days ago that 4 police officers were injured and a police deputy died due to wounds inflicted following protests and clashes with the police on Tuesday in the southern city of Shiraz.

Read more: Iran that was a victim of terrorism became a haven of security: Raisi

Mahsa Amini's family: protests are not for us

This morning, the father of the young Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, Amjad Amini, said that her family "have not yet been informed of the results of forensic tests on the causes of their daughter's death".

Amini stressed that, "the rallies and demonstrations held in a number of Iranian provinces after Mahsa's death have nothing to do with her family," and, " were not for our sake," noting that he and the rest of Mahsa's family are, "dissatisfied with these matters, " and that, "the family's only desire is to deal with the ones directly responsible for their daughter's death and punish them."

On Thursday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, in response to a question about the death of the Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, said that he assured her family that her right, "will not be lost," adding that, "the judicial authorities will announce the result of the investigation into the incident when the investigations are completed".

President Raisi to the family of the late #MahsaAmini : I have ordered the incident to be investigated carefully so that no right is violated https://t.co/9tqeoV5SBM pic.twitter.com/EaDRS2y4pf

— Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran (@Iran_GOV) September 18, 2022

A few days ago, the Iranian police released a video captured by surveillance cameras documenting the last moments of Amini at the police station. Tehran police said the footage proves that Mahsa Amini, 22, was not subjected to any violence or physical abuse.

قامت شرطة #طهران الكبري بنشر صور كاميرات مراقبة من تواجد الشابة الإيرانية "#مهسا_أميني" في قسم الشرطة ولحظة وقوع ما حدث لها وتثبت هذه الصور عدم تعرضها لأي عنف جسدي. pic.twitter.com/cRoMES8WEF

— وكالة إرنا العربیة (@irna_arabic) September 17, 2022