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IRGC commander says 'former official' may be involved in protests

The head of the IRGC hints that a former government official was involved in sparking the protests, with some believing it was a reference to former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
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Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), spoke to reporters Jan. 3 about the protests that have rocked Iran in the last week and hinted that a former government official may have been involved in initially starting the protests that quickly spiraled out of control.

When asked by reporters whether it was true that a “former official” was involved in sparking the protests that started in Mashhad, Jafari said, “This call [to protest] started with a website that is linked to an individual who has opened his mouth in opposition to the values and principles of the system.” Jafari continued, “Security officials are investigating this matter, and if they see interference by this former official, certainly he will be confronted by law enforcement.”

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