Rahmani Fazli's Estimate of August Protests: '3,800 Protesters in 27 Cities'

The Minister of Interior in Hassan Rouhani's government attributed the majority of protests in various cities of Iran to 'professional and livelihood issues' and claimed that during the protests in August, only '3,800 people' participated across '27 cities in Iran.' Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, in an interview with the Iran newspaper on August 30, also reported that Reza Outadi, a protester killed in Karaj, was shot with a 'Kalashnikov bullet.' Rahmani Fazli further stated that the calls for the August protests were 'significantly heavier' than those in January, and that 'hostile media and some foreign political officials had extensive propaganda for two to three months prior.' He claimed that 'despite the extensive propaganda, we witnessed gatherings of between 20 to 500 people in 27 cities across 13 provinces,' totaling 'about 3,800 participants' in these protests. On August 11, Rahmani Fazli had also stated that 'enemies' were trying to create social tension, but that a gathering of 200 people would not disrupt the situation. Although peaceful gatherings are recognized in the Islamic Republic's constitution, permits for protests are generally not issued, and protesters face severe crackdowns. Government officials attribute the organization of protests to foreign agents and attempt to downplay the number of participants. Regarding the killing of a protester in Karaj with a 'Kalashnikov bullet,' the Minister stated that the police 'do not have Kalashnikovs on the scene.' He also mentioned that in Shiraz, 'two motorcyclists fired shots with a hunting rifle using pellet bullets.' Rahmani Fazli's statements come at a time when the Kalashnikov is known to be a standard weapon of the Revolutionary Guards and Basij. Previously, Fars News Agency had claimed that the weapon used to kill Reza Outadi was not an organizational weapon. Amnesty International had previously called for an 'independent and impartial' investigation into Outadi's killing. Iranian officials have not accepted responsibility for the deaths of most protesters killed during the 2009 protests, the January 2018 protests, and other similar incidents, consistently attributing the shootings to 'unknown individuals,' 'agents of Western security services,' and individuals among the protesters themselves. Violence against protesters in Iran has elicited various international reactions, including concerns expressed by the U.S. Secretary of State regarding 'reports of violence by the Iranian government against unarmed citizens.' The Minister of Interior also referred to the existence of a 'security atlas' in Iran, stating that 'the grounds and backgrounds of tension' and 'individuals who cause conflicts on various issues are known.' He added, 'For example, in Tehran or large cities, thugs are known to the police... and they are warned; they are even told to stay home and not to leave for two or three days.' Rahmani Fazli also stated that 'in protests, our first instruction is that arrests must be targeted.' He added, 'Individuals are completely identified... When someone participates in five incidents, they are considered an active element. When they want to cause an incident in that city again, they are contacted or summoned and warned that if they come this time, their previous actions will be added to their non-security measures.' The Minister also noted that the majority of protests are related to professional and livelihood issues. In this interview, Rahmani Fazli also commented on the proposal for a referendum, stating, 'A referendum is a capacity provided for in the constitution, and its mechanism is also specified. I do not see the conditions as such that the solution is a referendum. Everything is clear and can be decided.' Rahmani Fazli's remarks come at a time when Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, indicated that in issues of disagreement between the institutions of the Islamic Republic, a referendum should be referred to. This statement, however, faced backlash from several Friday prayer leaders and appointees of the Supreme Leader, including Ahmad Jannati, who stated that there is no referendum higher than February 11, and Ahmad Alamolhoda, who expressed that a referendum has no place in 'religious democracy.' According to reports from the Iran newspaper, Tasnim News Agency, and Radio Farda, Amnesty International called for the release of all detainees from recent protests in Iran, expressed concern from Pompeo regarding 'the violence of the Iranian government,' and the governor of Alborz warned that they would confront protest gatherings. The Minister of Interior reacted to the protests, stating that they think a gathering of 200 people would disrupt the situation. The police chief of Tehran stated that they would continue their strong presence in the market for as long as necessary.