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| Iran supreme leader calls suspected schoolgirl poisonings ‘unforgivable’ | Iran supreme leader calls suspected schoolgirl poisonings ‘unforgivable’ |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says if proven to be deliberate, culprits should be sentenced to death | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says if proven to be deliberate, culprits should be sentenced to death |
| Iran’s supreme leader has said that if a series of suspected poisonings at girls’ schools are proven to be deliberate the culprits should be sentenced to death for committing an “unforgivable crime”. | Iran’s supreme leader has said that if a series of suspected poisonings at girls’ schools are proven to be deliberate the culprits should be sentenced to death for committing an “unforgivable crime”. |
| It was the first time Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all matters of state, has spoken publicly about the suspected poisonings, which began late last year. | It was the first time Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all matters of state, has spoken publicly about the suspected poisonings, which began late last year. |
| Iranian officials acknowledged them only in recent weeks and have provided no details on who may be behind the attacks or what chemicals – if any – have been used. Unlike neighbouring Afghanistan, Iran has no history of religious extremists targeting women and girls’ education. | |
| “If the poisoning of students is proven, those behind this crime should be sentenced to capital punishment and there will be no amnesty for them,” Khamenei said on Monday, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. | “If the poisoning of students is proven, those behind this crime should be sentenced to capital punishment and there will be no amnesty for them,” Khamenei said on Monday, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. |
| Authorities have acknowledged suspected attacks at more than 50 schools across 21 of Iran’s 30 provinces since November. | Authorities have acknowledged suspected attacks at more than 50 schools across 21 of Iran’s 30 provinces since November. |
| The interior minister, Ahmad Vahidi, said over the weekend that “suspicious samples” had been gathered by investigators, without elaborating. He called on the public to remain calm and accused unnamed enemies of inciting fear to undermine the country. | The interior minister, Ahmad Vahidi, said over the weekend that “suspicious samples” had been gathered by investigators, without elaborating. He called on the public to remain calm and accused unnamed enemies of inciting fear to undermine the country. |
| Vahidi said at least 52 schools had been affected by suspected poisonings, while Iranian media reports have put the number at more than 60. At least one boys’ school reportedly has been affected. | |
| The suspected poisonings have spread further fear among parents during months of unrest sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini in September. Videos of upset parents and schoolgirls in emergency rooms with IVs in their arms have flooded social media. | The suspected poisonings have spread further fear among parents during months of unrest sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini in September. Videos of upset parents and schoolgirls in emergency rooms with IVs in their arms have flooded social media. |
| Iran has imposed stringent restrictions on independent media since the outbreak of nationwide protests in September, making it difficult to determine the nature and scope of the suspected poisonings. | Iran has imposed stringent restrictions on independent media since the outbreak of nationwide protests in September, making it difficult to determine the nature and scope of the suspected poisonings. |
| On Monday, Iranian media reported that authorities arrested a Qom-based journalist, Ali Pourtabatabaei, who had been regularly reporting on the suspected poisonings. The hardline Kayhan newspaper in an editorial had called for the arrests of newspaper publishers who printed articles on the crisis critical of Iran’s theocracy. | On Monday, Iranian media reported that authorities arrested a Qom-based journalist, Ali Pourtabatabaei, who had been regularly reporting on the suspected poisonings. The hardline Kayhan newspaper in an editorial had called for the arrests of newspaper publishers who printed articles on the crisis critical of Iran’s theocracy. |
| Religious hard-liners in Iran have been known to attack women they perceive as dressing immodestly in public. But even at the height of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution women and girls continued attending schools and universities. | Religious hard-liners in Iran have been known to attack women they perceive as dressing immodestly in public. But even at the height of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution women and girls continued attending schools and universities. |
| The children affected in the poisonings have reportedly complained of headaches, heart palpitations, feeling lethargic or otherwise unable to move. Some described smelling tangerines, chlorine or cleaning agents. | The children affected in the poisonings have reportedly complained of headaches, heart palpitations, feeling lethargic or otherwise unable to move. Some described smelling tangerines, chlorine or cleaning agents. |
| Reports suggest at least 400 schoolchildren have fallen ill since November. Vahidi said in his statement that two girls remained in hospital because of underlying chronic conditions. There have been no reported deaths. | Reports suggest at least 400 schoolchildren have fallen ill since November. Vahidi said in his statement that two girls remained in hospital because of underlying chronic conditions. There have been no reported deaths. |
| As more attacks were reported on Sunday, videos were posted on social media showing children complaining about pain in the legs, abdomen and dizziness. State media have mainly referred to these as “hysteric reactions”. | As more attacks were reported on Sunday, videos were posted on social media showing children complaining about pain in the legs, abdomen and dizziness. State media have mainly referred to these as “hysteric reactions”. |
| The World Health Organization documented a similar phenomenon in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2012, when hundreds of girls across the country complained of strange smells and poisoning. No evidence was found to support the suspicions and the WHO said it appeared to be “mass psychogenic illnesses”. | The World Health Organization documented a similar phenomenon in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2012, when hundreds of girls across the country complained of strange smells and poisoning. No evidence was found to support the suspicions and the WHO said it appeared to be “mass psychogenic illnesses”. |