Protests Against Fencing of 'Over Three Thousand Square Meters' in Laleh Park; Chahraman Claims: No Trees Will Be Cut

The head of Tehran's City Council announced that it is unclear why the fencing in Laleh Park was undertaken, claiming that 'no trees will be cut'; however, the head of the Urban Planning Commission criticized the fencing and urged the municipality to utilize the knowledge and experience of experts and to be mindful of public opinion. Following protests against extensive fencing on the southern side of Laleh Park in central Tehran, city officials have made contradictory statements regarding this municipal action. According to a report by Mehr News Agency, the fencing in Laleh Park covers an area of 'over three thousand square meters' opposite Poursina Street, but 'relevant managers' in the municipality of District 6 have either 'expressed ignorance' or refused to comment on the matter. The news agency also quoted an unnamed city manager stating that 'the construction of a cultural center and restroom' was on the agenda, but 'its implementation has currently been suspended' and 'the fate of the fencing is uncertain and the proposed plan may be completely canceled.' Meanwhile, Mehdi Chahraman, the head of Tehran's City Council, spoke on Sunday about the approval of 'the third phase of a plan' under which 'mosques and libraries will be built in parks larger than one hectare.' He also emphasized the need for a cultural center and stated that 'after the Ramadan celebrations, it was felt that spaces for such projects were needed,' claiming, 'It was stated that no trees will be cut, and we will not allow any trees to be cut. We must wait for the plan to be presented.' On the other hand, the Ana News Agency reported that Mehdi Abbasi, the head of the Urban Planning Commission of the City Council, criticized the Tehran municipality's lack of awareness regarding urban planning issues and urged the agency to 'utilize the knowledge, science, and experience of experts,' emphasizing that 'the Tehran municipality must be mindful of public opinion.' Abbasi stated, 'When they do not benefit from the knowledge of experts, this is what happens in Laleh Park,' adding, 'There are sufficient open spaces in the vicinity of Laleh Park, and there is plenty of open land around Tehran University, and any program the Tehran municipality has for Laleh Park can be transferred there.' The fencing on the southern side of Laleh Park led to protests and gatherings of several Tehran citizens on Thursday, May 13. Simultaneously, some media outlets in Iran reported that the Tehran municipality, under the management of Alireza Zakani, intends to construct in this park, raising concerns that this action would harm the trees and green space. Previously, the Tehran municipality's actions to build a mosque in Qeytarieh Park had made headlines, with Alireza Zakani, the mayor, stating, 'We will build mosques not only in Qeytarieh Park but in all parks in the capital.' The appropriation and destruction of parks in Tehran are not only carried out by the municipality; intelligence and military institutions, as well as organizations under the supervision of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, also engage in similar actions. Earlier, in this context, Nasser Amani, a member of the Tehran City Council, reported on the fencing and cutting of 60 trees in 'Aqaqia Park' in the Davoodieh neighborhood by one of the groups affiliated with the so-called 'Executive Headquarters of Imam's Command,' which is managed under Ali Khamenei, stating that this action was taken under the pretext of ownership of part of this park.