Foreign Backed Riots Subside Following Lethal Assaults on Security Forces

Saeed Montazer al-Mahdi, spokesperson for Iran’s Law Enforcement Command (FARAJA), reported on Friday that on-the-ground assessments indicate a state of “general calm” prevailing across cities throughout the nation.

In an interview with Tasnim News Agency, he indicated that significant public gatherings held earlier, characterized as demonstrations opposing the previous night’s actions of armed and terrorist groups, successfully curtailed further violent activities on Friday.

Calm was observed across the provinces on Friday night, as correspondents noted a lack of gatherings or disturbances. Provincial reports indicated that security forces maintained order effectively, following stern warnings from security authorities. Despite minimal attempts by rioters to disturb public order, control remained intact.

Several provinces have experienced significant destruction as armed groups launched assaults on both public and private property.

According to Tasnim, recent disturbances across various regions have seen both personal and state-owned properties targeted. The agency reported that among the attacked sites were mosques, with the perpetrators demonstrating a clear disregard for religious sanctuaries.

Three police officers lost their lives on Friday night following a series of assaults targeting security forces amidst unrest in the provincial capital of Shiraz and its neighboring regions.

Tasnim news agency reported that funeral services for the officers are scheduled to take place in Shiraz. Following the ceremonies, their remains will be transported for burial to Mazandaran province, Markazi province, and the city of Fasa.

Several officers from Tehran’s criminal investigation police lost their lives amid riots in the capital on Thursday night.

In a shocking incident, armed attackers wielding Kalashnikov rifles targeted members of the criminal investigation unit of the Tehran Metropolitan Police, resulting in the tragic loss of several officers’ lives.

In regional developments, authorities have also reported casualties among security forces. In Qom, provincial officials confirmed that two police officers were killed on Thursday night, with a funeral procession planned for Saturday.

In Shushtar, two security personnel have reportedly lost their lives amid ongoing unrest. Local reports further indicate that public property has been damaged, and there have been assaults on religious sites within Khuzestan province.

A Basij militia member was killed on Thursday night in Qazvin, following a wave of unrest that saw protesters vandalizing and setting fire to banks, mosques, and street fixtures before launching attacks on fuel stations throughout the city.

At a fuel station on Daneshgah Street, attackers attempted to ignite the facility after inflicting damage, but were met with resistance from Basij members. During the altercation, one Basij member was assaulted and subsequently succumbed to injuries.

In the northeastern town of Esfarayen, a local prosecutor along with four security force members tragically lost their lives amid ongoing riots.

Ali Akbar Hosseinzadeh, the public and revolutionary prosecutor of Esfarayen, lost his life amid disturbances on Thursday night. Additionally, two police officers and two members of the Basij force were also killed during the events.

Tragically, fatalities were reported when emergency responders endeavored to access the location of a blaze amid the unrest. Perpetrators also ignited the main mosque in Esfarayen, a Qur’anic center dedicated to modesty and dress codes, and a chain retail store.

Order was reestablished following intervention by Basij forces and local residents, as security personnel moved to apprehend those accountable. Several individuals connected to the unrest have been taken into custody.

Iran’s prosecutor general has mandated swift judicial processes for individuals detained, instructing special courts to prioritize and expedite the handling of their cases.

He further advocated for compensation claims against the parties responsible for the damages, which include instigators both domestically and abroad, as well as antagonistic social media platforms.

The prosecutor general announced that individuals involved in the activities will face prosecution with no leniency. He further alleged that foreign governments, namely the United States and Israel, are providing support and weaponry to terrorist actors.

The United States ambassador in Tel Aviv, Mike Huckabee, affirmed that Washington would firmly back protesters in Iran, while also recognizing the potential risks involved with direct military intervention.

Senior officials from the United States and Israel, including Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have been accused of publicly supporting rioters and employing individuals characterized as terrorists.

A member of Iran’s government communications council has stated that the recent unrest in Iran represents a new phase in what they describe as Israel’s ongoing conflict against the country. The official further accused the United States of openly backing these events.

Montazer al-Mahdi reported that by Thursday, a minimum of 270 police officers had sustained injuries. These injuries were attributed to both pellet weapons and military-grade firearms.

He stated that law enforcement had shown restraint thus far, but with the participation of armed terrorist groups, authorities would now engage with a “decisive and serious” response.

Authorities reported limited gatherings on Friday night, confirming that several armed terrorists were neutralized during the unrest the previous evening.

In a separate announcement, Montazer al-Mahdi highlighted that the recent surge in inflation, along with rising prices and currency volatility, has sparked demonstrations among shopkeepers and traders, significantly impacting livelihoods.

Authorities were alerted by police to these concerns, and efforts to supervise the protests were undertaken with the utmost tolerance and patience, adhering to professional standards.

The police strategy has received recognition from both social elites and the general public, with commanders consistently emphasizing the difference between protesters and rioters.

He stated that “people-disguised elements” were provoking young people, manipulating emotions, and collaborating with foreign-based and anti-Iranian media to intensify the unrest.

Montazer al-Mahdi called on families to caution young individuals about the perilous and ambiguous situation on the ground, which involves agents backed by foreign entities.

In the past 24 hours, coordinated and deliberate acts have reportedly breached critical “red lines,” resulting in the destruction of ambulances, firefighting and rescue equipment, buses, private vehicles, commercial establishments, financial institutions, hospitals, and religious sites. These incidents have posed significant psychological challenges to maintaining public order.

Police emergency centers reportedly received a substantial volume of calls from citizens seeking assistance for the protection of their lives and property. Additionally, there have been reports of citizens offering to volunteer alongside law enforcement to aid in maintaining public safety.

Several members of the security forces and civilians have been reported dead, according to an official statement. Additionally, armed terrorists and operatives allegedly connected to enemy intelligence services were killed or apprehended. The statement further indicated that confessions from those detained would be made public.

Montazer al-Mahdi stated that law enforcement agencies are dedicated to safeguarding public safety and plan to address economic grievances through formal avenues. However, he cautioned that there would be zero tolerance for those he described as instigators of unrest.

The mayor of Tehran, Alireza Zakani, provided an account of the violent onslaughts in the capital during a live national television broadcast. Zakani reported that armed individuals targeted critical emergency services, such as hospitals and firefighting units, resulting in the destruction of more than 24 fire trucks. He further noted that the attackers hindered firefighters from saving families stranded in burning structures.

In a statement, Zakani reported that upwards of 26 banks, 10 government buildings, over 25 mosques, and at least 47 buses had been set ablaze. He further noted the assault on three police stations and 25 Basij centers, characterizing the incidents as unprecedented in both magnitude and intensity.

Zakani classified the participants into three distinct categories: those he described as misguided and driven by emotions, individuals with criminal intent focusing on looting, and counter-revolutionary actors aiming for an overthrow. He emphasized that the legal handling of each group varies, while asserting that maintaining security remains an uncompromising requirement of the public.

Municipal workers have been tasked with restoring damaged areas to avert long-term disruptions in city operations. Authorities have reassured citizens, urging them to remain calm regarding supplies, as essential goods remain readily available in warehouses and markets.

Zakani stated that authorities have recognized public grievances and have requested additional time to resolve these issues, cautioning that instability could exacerbate economic challenges. He noted that economic warfare remains underway and that international adversaries are taking advantage of social unrest.

The mayor of Mashhad reported that the riots on Thursday night inflicted damages amounting to approximately 10 trillion rials on the city’s transport and municipal services sectors.

Mohammadreza Qalandar Sharif reported that approximately 5 trillion rials in damages were sustained by public transportation systems, with a comparable sum impacting urban services infrastructure.

According to reports, 12 buses were entirely destroyed and two others sustained significant damage. Additionally, a fire station along with its equipment was engulfed in flames and destroyed. Three fire engines were severely damaged, and two others were left inoperable.

Qalandar Sharif announced that metro services were halted on Friday due to security concerns. He further stated that all damages have been meticulously recorded and costs evaluated, enabling the relevant authorities to seek compensation on behalf of the city’s residents.

Journalist and political analyst Mashallah Shamsolvaezin stated that the recent events, characterized by violence, vandalism, and the arson of residential properties, are indicative of a larger campaign targeting Iran.

According to statements made by Shamsolvaezin, the current disturbances are being described as the second phase of Israel’s conflict with Iran. Additionally, it has been noted that Trump has recently expressed explicit support for these events.

He alluded to statements by Trump, suggesting that if Iran took action against demonstrators, Washington would step in, an indication, according to Shamsolvaezin, of an attempt to safeguard US operatives within Iran. He also referenced comments from an Israeli official asserting the presence of Israeli operatives among the crowds.

Shamsolvaezin expressed skepticism about the likelihood of the Iranian public taking to the streets months after showing solidarity during the 12-day conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran in June. He argued that the unrest was being fueled by adversarial entities rather than calls from Trump.

He noted that a clear distinction has surfaced between protesters and rioters, suggesting that numerous demonstrators have retreated after observing violent incidents. He stated that current developments should be considered as a second phase of Israel’s conflict with Iran.

In a joint statement, Britain, France, and Germany expressed their criticism of Iran while extending support to those identified as rioters and armed insurgents.

The three European governments, in conjunction with the United States, have enacted sanctions against Iran, positioning themselves as allies advocating for the Iranian populace.

The European Union has issued a separate statement condemning the actions taken by Iranian security forces in response to recent riots.