Police chief says 'no more restraint' as more die in Iran unrest  

The commander suggested that his forces had so far tolerated the unrest, while rights activists counted the killings of over 470 protesters at the hands of security forces. 
A photograph of a murdered Iranian woman hangs from a tree in front of the Palacio de la Moneda placed by Iranians living in Chile, as they protest against violence against women in their country, during the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Santiago, Chili, Nov. 25, 2022.
A photograph of a murdered Iranian woman hangs from a tree in front of the Palacio de la Moneda placed by Iranians living in Chile, as they protest against violence against women in their country, during the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Santiago, Chili, Nov. 25, 2022. - Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images
Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Al-Monitor Staff

TEHRAN — Iran’s police chief Hossein Ashtari issued yet another warning to the protesters who have been flocking Iranian streets for nearly three months since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in custody of hijab enforcing Guidance Patrol.  

"Security forces will no longer exercise restraint," announced the commander Dec. 8, praising his officers for their active presence nationwide to counter "seditionists," one of many labels Iranian officials have attached to anti-government protesters.  

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