The authorities must “resolutely crack down on those who oppose security and tranquility in the country,” its president said. Iran Ebrahim Raisi, according to Iranian state media, hundreds of protesters were detained. The Iranian president’s comments came during a phone call expressing condolences to the family of a security guard who, according to authorities, was injured by angry protesters.

For a week now, demonstrations have been organized in many Iranian cities in connection with the death of Mahshi Amini. A 22-year-old man was arrested September 13 in Tehran for “inappropriate clothing” by the “vice police” who are tasked with enforcing the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code. Three days later, Amini died in a hospital, and her death sparked protests in major Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran.

The Iranian president “emphasized the need to separate the protests from the violation of public order and security and called the events (…) a confrontation,” Iranian media reported.

Iranian news agencies reported that 739 protesters, including 60 women, were arrested in the province of Gilan in the Caspian region, and reports indicate that communication with the city of Osnavieh in northwestern Iran was cut off.

Osnavie was one of several cities in northwestern Iran where Kurds live who took part in Friday’s demonstration. The Kurdish rights group Hengaw released a video of protesters allegedly taking control of part of the city. Reuters was unable to verify the authenticity of this video.

At least 35 dead after week of protests

Earlier it became known that at least 35 people were killed during protests that have been taking place in Iran for more than a week.

Yesterday, Friday night, Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi reiterated that Mahsa Amini was not beaten by law enforcement forces. “Surveillance protocols have been received, witnesses have been interviewed, video materials have been studied, forensic reports have been received and it has been established that the young woman was not beaten,” Vahidi said on television, quoted by local media.

According to the interior minister, the Iranian government is investigating “the cause of Mahshi Amini’s death, (but) we will have to wait for the final medical report, which will take time.” Wahidi also criticized “those who took an irresponsible stance (…) and incited violence”, accusing them of “following the US, European countries and counter-revolutionary groups”. Iranian authorities deny any involvement in the violent incidents.

^{According to REUTERS, AFP, APE-MPE}