Mahabad fire: situation in Iran is getting worse – you need to know that There is a crisis between Germany and France – Putin is happy

Protesters set fire to government buildings

In northwestern Iran, protesters have reportedly attempted to occupy state agency buildings. Videos circulating on social media on Thursday showed scenes believed to be from the Kurdish city of Mahabad.

It was initially unclear whether the protesters could – as alleged – also occupy the governor’s office. Shots were also reported in the city. The circumstances were unclear. The videos could not be verified initially.

The state news agency IRNA reported that the protesters were stopped with the help of the police. She published several photos of chaotic street scenes with burnt-out shops. This information could not be independently verified at first. Oslo-based human rights organization Hengaw, which maintains contacts in the region, reported clashes with security forces. At least one protester is said to have been killed in Mahabad.

Dead in terrorist attack in Shrias

Meanwhile, the southern Iranian city of Shiraz was rocked by a terrorist attack on Wednesday. According to state media, at least 15 people were killed. Dozens of other people are said to have been injured in the Shia shrine of Shah Cheragh in the metropolis, state television reported. According to eyewitnesses, there was a large contingent of police and security forces around the shrine.

The terrorist militia Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attack on a Telegram channel. In Afghanistan, for example, Sunni jihadists repeatedly attack Shia Muslims, whom they describe as apostates from Islam and despise.

Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, blamed the protesters. “You are complicit in this great crime,” the state news agency quoted the commander as saying on Thursday. At the same time, he threatened: “The foreign and domestic masterminds and perpetrators of this terrible crime will soon be attacked by security forces and the secret service.”

It is unclear to what extent the protesters should be complicit. Many Iranians fear that security forces will crack down on demonstrations after the attack.

EU condemns Iranian sanctions

The EU has meanwhile strongly condemned the sanctions announced by Iran against European politicians, journalists and institutions. The sanctions against 12 individuals and eight institutions are clearly purely politically motivated, a spokesman for EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said in Brussels. Rather than focusing on political retaliation, Iran should guarantee the fundamental freedoms of its own people, who demand freedom of speech, for example.

Hundreds of loyal students demonstrated in front of the British embassy in the Iranian capital on Thursday. They chanted slogans against London-based BBC Persian and Iran International broadcasters. A few days ago, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs placed the broadcasters on a terror list.

The backgrounds

The trigger for the systemic mass protests in Iran last month was the death of 22-year-old Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini. The vice squad arrested her for allegedly violating the Islamic dress code. The woman died in police custody on September 16. Since her death, thousands across the country have demonstrated against the repressive course of the government and Islamic rule system.

(dab/sda/dpa)