Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani blamed what he described as “armed protesters” for deaths during nationwide unrest, saying security forces had identified and begun arresting ringleaders of violent groups.
“Security forces have identified the ringleaders, arrested some of them, and will arrest others,” Larijani said in an interview with state media. “They will be dealt with.”
Larijani said some protesters had been “deceived,” while others were armed with rifles and handguns obtained from various sources. “Our problem arose only because they used those weapons,” he said.
“They tried to take over military and police centers, but we were prepared, and they did not succeed,” he said.
