Iran protests Deaths among the ranks of demonstrators and the police and arrests of foreigners

Several Iranian cities, most notably the city of Zahedan in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan, witnessed demonstrations, where protesters raised slogans against the Iranian regime and the morality police. The Iranian news agency reported that 19 people were killed and dozens wounded, including policemen.

Demonstrations took place in several Iranian cities, most notably the city of Zahedan in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan. The demonstrators raised slogans against the Iranian regime and the morality police.

The demonstrations follow the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, after she was stopped by the morality police in the capital, Tehran, and detained for her "improper clothing".

Video clips spread on social media showing widespread protests in the cities of Mashhad, Kerman, Ahvas and Tabriz.

Iranian television announced that unknown armed elements attacked a police headquarters in Zahedan. The Iranian news agency reported that 19 people were killed and dozens wounded, including policemen.

The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence has also arrested dozens of people, and 9 foreigners from Germany, Poland, Italy, France, the Netherlands and Sweden have stood in the places of protests inside the country. In addition to the arrest of 49 people it claimed were linked to the "People's Mojahedin Organization", and 77 other people it accused of being linked to Kurdish armed organizations.

Intelligence accused the detainees of spreading false news with the aim of mobilizing protesters, carrying out terrorist operations, sabotaging public property, and confronting police forces.

On the other hand, the Iranian Tasnim news agency reported that the commander of the Revolutionary Guards' intelligence department in Sistan and Baluchestan province, Colonel Ali Mousavi, was killed during the clashes in Zahedan in Sistan and Baluchestan province.

According to the agency, Mousavi was shot in the chest during the clashes that took place between the police and "terrorist elements" and opposition to the Iranian regime near the Makki Mosque in Zahedan.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi commented on the demonstrations, saying that "his country will not allow enemies to control Iran." He explained that the Iranian people have thwarted the enemies' plans more than once, and that the West should know that the people will stand by the state in confronting them," as he put it.