Ministry of Intelligence Report on Poisonings: 'Joking, Feigning, and Anti-Security Objectives'

More than five months after the onset of serial poisonings in Iranian schools, which continue to this day, the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Intelligence has released a statement regarding the results of its investigations into the serial poisonings of students, claiming that 'no toxic substances have been spread in any of the schools.' This statement, published on Friday, May 8, describes the 'materials, tools, and motivations' behind the 'claims of malaise' as being widespread, stating that the purpose is 'mischief, playfulness, bullying, and disrupting classes.' It claims that the first case of poisoning occurred in 'Noor County' as a result of 'the release of pepper gas in the classroom by one of the female students.' However, according to media reports, the ongoing poisoning of predominantly female students in Iranian schools began on November 30, 2022, in Qom and has since spread to other provinces in Iran. In recent months, Islamic Republic officials have consistently cited factors such as foreign interference, adventurism, and feigning as the reasons behind the serial poisonings, referring to them as 'malaise.' The Ministry of Intelligence's statement also identifies the use of 'stink bombs' and 'tear gas and pepper spray' as factors in the students' poisonings, aimed at 'joking and unhealthy, unconventional fun' and 'bullying.' The presence of foul-smelling agents around schools, such as 'the interruption and leakage of city gas, burning waste and the smoke produced, and the use of insecticides,' has created panic and 'mass hysteria' among the children. This intelligence agency also mentioned the identification, summoning, or arrest of 'numerous individuals' in connection with the poisonings in schools, as well as pursuing 'multiple networks in cyberspace' for reasons such as 'producing and disseminating rumors' and 'deliberately accusing the Islamic Republic.' In its statement, the Ministry of Intelligence also accused elements linked to the United States and Israel of being involved in the serial school poisonings, claiming that individuals acted to 'film and broadcast on Persian-language networks' or 'create gatherings in front of schools.' The continuation of the serial poisonings of students has elicited widespread domestic and international reactions. For instance, Abolfazl Ghadiani described it as a 'biological attack' originating from Khamenei's 'office,' and Shahbanu Farah Pahlavi referred to it as a reflection of the 'impure nature of the Islamic Republic regime.' Additionally, Abdulhamid Ismailzahi, the Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan, called for the closure of schools, labeling the poisonings as a 'crime' and stating that the perpetrators are from 'within the system' of the Islamic Republic. The government's security response to the poisonings has fueled speculation. In some schools, officials have prevented students from leaving after incidents occurred. On the other hand, instead of tracking down the perpetrators of the poisonings, security files have been opened against students protesting the poisonings in schools, and three students from Allameh Tabatabai University have been summoned to the Security Prosecutor's Office and charged. The information provided by the medical staff regarding the causes of the poisonings and the results of tests has also been limited. The newspaper 'Ham-Mihan' reported on March 4 that medical staff members were prohibited from informing about the poisonings. The report stated that they were reluctant to speak on the matter and were concerned about the consequences of informing and potential repercussions from hospital managers. This report also emphasized that contrary to the health minister's statements attributing the poisonings to 'a mild type of poison,' reports from hospitals indicate that the poisonings have not been 'so mild.' With the exception of a few boys' schools, most poisonings have occurred in girls' schools, primarily public ones, targeting mainly middle and high school levels. Symptoms reported among the poisoned students include numbness in limbs, headaches, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Several doctors have attributed the poisonings to combined gases, stating that such gases are not widely available. Researchers, human rights groups, and several countries have emphasized that 'independent investigations' are necessary to find the cause of the poisonings, and conducting such investigations requires 'access to health data that is often protected by security in Iran.' Dr. Mirsaeidi stated that what caused the students' poisonings resembles 'nerve gas.' Families have gathered and expressed concern following the poisoning of female students at the Meraj School in Sanandaj. The continuation of attacks on schools, this time with the poisoning of girls in Mehrshahr, Karaj, has raised alarms. The authorities continue to assert that the poisonings are merely feigning to disrupt classes. Another 'ordinary' day in Iran sees more student poisonings and their transfer to medical centers. Families protested after the poisoning of female students at the Aseman High School in Tabriz. Najat Bahrami claimed that the security apparatus of the Islamic Republic is involved in the students' poisonings. The Islamic Republic defended its actions regarding the serial poisonings in a letter to the United Nations. The health minister stated that the poisonings of students are due to 'mild poison,' while the newspaper Hamshahri attributed it to the actions of 'hypocrites.' The mysterious poisonings of students continue, with the education minister stating that the rumors are from cyberspace. Ayatollah Khamenei's response to the serial poisonings has also been noted.