Iran intelligence minister says protests not 'guided' by foreigners
Iranian officials said they are still compiling the total arrested but they believe the situation in Iran has calmed down.
In a meeting with economic officials, President Hassan Rouhani addressed some of the economic issues facing Iran. Many people believe that Iran’s economy has been a major factor in the recent protests across the country. Rouhani attributed the “root of the problem” to there being a gap between the officials of the country and young people, saying, “We cannot impose our styles on the future generation.”
Rouhani also criticized some religious institutions for not paying taxes, a clear shot at his hard-line rivals.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sent a statement of appreciation to those involved in quelling the riots. The statement referred to the riots as a “new sedition by anti-revolutionaries and enemies of the Islamic revolution.” The letter was addressed to the police force, which operates under the Interior Ministry, the Basij organization, which operates under the IRGC, and the Intelligence Ministry.
According to the statement, tens of thousands of Basij members took part in quelling the protests, along with police and the Unknown Soldiers of Imam Zaman, a reference to a unit in the Intelligence Ministry. The statement also referred to this “new sedition” as a plot by Israel, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq organization and monarchist groups.
