Interior Minister's Reaction to Protests: They Think 200 People Will Disrupt the Situation

Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, the Interior Minister, reacted to protests in various cities across Iran, stating that 'enemies' are attempting to create social tension, but the situation will not be disrupted by gatherings of 200 people. According to Fars News Agency, Rahmani Fazli made these remarks on Thursday, August 2, during a meeting on resistance economy in West Azerbaijan province. He stated, 'One of the levels of the enemy's confrontation with Iran is the creation of social tensions, and they think this can be effective in Iran. They believe that if 50 to 200 people gather in one place, the situation inside the country will be disrupted.' He added, 'Then they came together in a country to discuss who should take over after this regime; 94 groups attended that meeting, and interestingly, all introduced themselves as alternatives to the regime.' Rahmani Fazli emphasized, 'But they should know that this is not the case; this nation has resisted and stood firm for forty years so that a few mercenaries, terrorists, and traitors can decide for them.' The remarks by the Iranian Interior Minister are among the first official reactions from government officials to the new wave of protests in various cities. The recent protests in Iran began following the collapse of the rial's value, the unstable economic situation, rising prices, and the daily increase in foreign currency and gold coin prices, but in recent days, the main slogans of the protesters have been against the government and the clergy. Reports indicate that on Friday, Tehran and several other cities witnessed protests. Videos shared on social media show that some protesters gathered around Vali Asr Square in Tehran, chanting slogans like 'Death to the Dictator' and 'Iranian, shout out, demand your rights.' Over the past three days, protests have been held in Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Ahvaz, Mashhad, and several other cities. 'It is not wise to take to the streets.' Some Friday prayer leaders reacted to the protests and urged people not to participate in the demonstrations. Youssef Tabatabai, the Friday prayer leader of Isfahan, commented on the people's protests against rising prices, saying, 'There is no basis for taking to the streets. Who do they want to reach with their voices? The officials? The officials are already aware of these issues.' He added, 'Without a doubt, taking to the streets is not wise; people, do not let your children take to the streets and protest.' Protests in Isfahan began on Tuesday, August 1, in the Shapur New area and have continued in recent days. No statistics on the number of detainees from the recent protests have been released. However, Fars News reported, 'During the gathering of industrialists in the Amir Kabir area of Isfahan, several organized leaders with the mission of creating diversion and tension in the people's protests were arrested.' This news agency, close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, added, 'Based on existing evidence, these detainees, dressed in branded clothing, bore little resemblance to the low-income class and workers of industrial workshops, but they made significant efforts to divert the way economic demands were presented in the protests.' In this context, Mohammad Rahim Norouzian, the political, security, and social deputy of Khorasan Razavi province, also stated on Thursday to the Mehr News Agency, 'No gatherings were held in the cities of Khorasan Razavi. However, a few individuals suspected of attempting to carry out illegal actions in this regard were arrested in Mashhad by the police for further investigation.'