Iranians Strike in Solidarity with Zahedan's ‘Bloody Friday’

People light a fire during a protest over the death of Mahsa Amini in Tehran, Iran (Reuters)
People light a fire during a protest over the death of Mahsa Amini in Tehran, Iran (Reuters)
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Iranians Strike in Solidarity with Zahedan's ‘Bloody Friday’

People light a fire during a protest over the death of Mahsa Amini in Tehran, Iran (Reuters)
People light a fire during a protest over the death of Mahsa Amini in Tehran, Iran (Reuters)

Several Iranian cities went on strike in solidarity with the mourners in Sistan-Baluchistan on the border with Pakistan, commemorating the 40th day since the security forces killed dozens of Baloch nationalists during the "Bloody Friday" in Zahedan, the center of Baluchistan.

On Sept. 30, security forces opened fire on protests that erupted after weekly prayers in Zahedan, killing at least 92 and injuring dozens.

Norway-based Hengaw rights group reported widespread strikes were held "in solidarity" with Zahedan in various Kurdish cities.

Earlier, the Cooperation Center of the Iranian Kurdistan Political Parties called for strikes in Kurdistan and condemned the killing of Balochs on Bloody Friday.

It urged citizens to protest and express their solidarity with the families of the dead and victims in Balochistan.

On Tuesday, protesters took to the streets during night marches and chanted against the Supreme Leader and regime.

-Executions and dismissals

The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said that 328 protesters were killed in the protests, including 50 children, in 137 cities and 136 universities. It noted that 14,823 persons were detained, including 431 students.

The organization indicated that 38 members of the police forces, Basij forces, and security services had been killed in the campaign.

Meanwhile, the Iranian police dismissed the police chief of Balochistan province days after the suppression of protests in Khash, where 16 persons were killed.

Iranian media reported that police chief Hossein Ashtari dismissed the police chief in Balochistan province, Ahmad Taheri, and appointed Mohammad Ghanbari.

Baloch accuses the Iranian authorities of practicing "sectarian and ethnic discrimination" against them.

Over the past years, the Iranian authorities accused the Baloch opposition of being linked to extremist groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS, accusations strongly denied by the Baloch opposition.

-Threatening journalists

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said Wednesday that the enemies use fabricated warfare to confront a strong and independent Iran.

Also, Iranian Intelligence Minister Ismail Khatib warned Britain that it would pay the price for attempts to "destabilize security" in Iran.

In an interview with Khamenei's official website, he added that Iran would never sponsor acts of terrorism and insecurity in other countries, as Britain does, but have no obligation to prevent insecurity in those countries either.

"Therefore, Britain will pay for its actions aimed at making Iran insecure," the minister warned.

Earlier this week, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) was accused of threatening two journalists working for the London-based Persian-language Iran International with death.

Volant Media, the London-based broadcaster of Iran International TV, said two of its journalists had been notified by the Metropolitan police that the threats "represent an imminent, credible and significant risk to their lives and those of their families."

Meanwhile, in Paris, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said that Iran is systematically trying to silence women's voices, noting that an unprecedented number of female journalists have been arrested since Amini's death.

As the Iranian regime continues its crackdown on the protests initiated by Mahsa Amini's death, almost half of all newly arrested journalists are women, including two facing the death penalty.

The organization called for immediate action to secure their unconditional release.

It indicated that since the start of the protests, at least 42 journalists have been arrested throughout Iran. So far, eight have been released, and 34 are still detained, among them 15 women journalists.



France Summons Israeli Ambassador over Diplomatic Incident in Jerusalem

The Palestinian village of Burqa is seen as an Israeli flag is placed in the Jewish West Bank outpost of Homesh, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
The Palestinian village of Burqa is seen as an Israeli flag is placed in the Jewish West Bank outpost of Homesh, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
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France Summons Israeli Ambassador over Diplomatic Incident in Jerusalem

The Palestinian village of Burqa is seen as an Israeli flag is placed in the Jewish West Bank outpost of Homesh, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
The Palestinian village of Burqa is seen as an Israeli flag is placed in the Jewish West Bank outpost of Homesh, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

France's Foreign Ministry summoned Israel's ambassador on Tuesday following an incident involving Israeli security forces during a visit last week by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot to Jerusalem.

The French ministry condemned the presence of armed Israeli police at the Eléona, a French-owned site on the Mount of Olives, and the brief detention of two French consulate gendarmes with diplomatic status.

Barrot canceled his scheduled visit to the compound. France has demanded measures to prevent such incidents from reoccurring, The AP reported.

Israeli police portrayed the controversy as a misunderstanding, saying two church workers who declined to identify themselves had refused entry to Israeli security guards accompanying Barrot. Police said they held the men for about 20 minutes and released them once they were identified as employees of the French Consulate in Jerusalem, the protector of French religious communities and four holy sites in the city.

Israeli police said all foreign ministers on official visits are assigned Israeli security guards. It said the logistics of Barrot’s visit were worked out beforehand with the French Embassy in Israel.

The diplomatic rift arose amid heightened security concerns for the France-Israel UEFA Nations League match on Thursday in Paris.

French authorities have announced extensive security measures to safeguard the event following violence against Israeli fans in Amsterdam.