According to information from the US National Security Council, Russia is considering supporting the leadership in Tehran in the fight against the mass protests. Iran was also shaken by an unusual attack: the Islamic State terrorist militia killed at least 15 people.
The United States is concerned about Moscow's possible support in crushing the mass protests in Iran. "We know they may be considering some sort of support for Iran's ability to take action against protesters, and unfortunately Russia has experience in that," said National Security Council communications director John Kirby. When asked by journalists, it remained somewhat unclear whether this alleged support had already begun or not.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he would strengthen cooperation with Iran in countering terrorist threats. "I would like to reiterate the willingness of the Russian side to further expand cooperation with our Iranian partners in the fight against terrorism," said Putin in a telegram to Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, which was published on the Kremlin's website.
Israel's head of state Izchak Herzog again criticized Iran with sharp words. "Today, the Iranian regime is oppressing thousands of Iranian citizens, men, young men and women, who are demonstrating and simply standing up for their own freedoms," Herzog said at a meeting with US President Joe Biden in Washington. Herzog warned of Tehran's nuclear capabilities. The country also supplies deadly weapons that are used to kill innocent people in Ukraine. Biden stressed at the meeting that the ideas and values of Israel and the United States are the same.
Also on Wednesday - 40 days after Mahsa Amini's death - numerous people took to the streets across the country. In Iran, people traditionally mourn the death of a family member for 40 days. Activists had previously called for nationwide protests on the day of mourning. Security forces reportedly fired on demonstrators in several cities. In the capital Tehran, security forces used tear gas against a demonstration by doctors. Towards evening people also came together in Tehran to sing exuberantly on the street. In the north of the metropolis, many women could be seen without the obligatory headscarf, as eyewitnesses reported. The 22-year-old Amini had died in the care of the vice squad. She had been arrested for not wearing the headscarf properly.
According to state media, at least 15 people have been killed in a terrorist attack in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz. Dozens of other people are said to have been injured at the Shiite sanctuary of Shah Cheragh in the city of millions, state television reported. According to eyewitnesses, there was a large contingent of police and security forces around the shrine. The terrorist militia Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack on a Telegram channel.
In Afghanistan, for example, the Sunni jihadists repeatedly carry out attacks on Shiite Muslims, whom they describe as apostates from Islam and despise. Such attacks are very unusual in Iran. President Ebrahim Raisi condemned the attack and, according to the Office of the President, announced a consistent response.
