IRGC vows decisive action against rioters

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) warned of “decisive and revolutionary” action against any measure disrupting security in the wake of protests over a hike in the price of subsidized gasoline in Iran.

According to Tasnim news agency, in a statement on Monday, the IRGC praised the vigilant and insightful people of Iran who have separated their ways from the rioters and anarchists that have taken advantage of the protests in recent days.

Highlighting the need for security, calm, unity and solidarity across Iran, the statement said the IRGC will keep protecting the country’s security and stability in cooperation with other armed and security forces.

If necessary, the IRGC will take decisive and revolutionary action against any continued measure that creates insecurity and disrupts the public’s peace, it added.

On Friday, Iran began rationing gasoline and substantially increased the price of fuel, saying the revenue would be used to assist the needy.

The National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company (NIOPDC) said in a statement late Thursday that the price of a liter of regular gasoline had gone up to 15,000 rials (12.7 US cents) from 10,000 rials and the monthly ration for each private automobile was set at 60 liters per month. Additional purchases would cost 30,000 rials per liter.

The decision sparked rallies in a number of Iranian cities, some of which were marred by violence as opportunist elements tried to exploit the situation and ride the wave of peaceful protests against hiking fuel prices.

In an address on Sunday morning, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei warned that the sporadic protests and acts of vandalism in Iran would create insecurity.

Describing insecurity as the worst calamity for a society, the Leader said “all evil centers in the world” have mobilized efforts in recent days to encourage unrest in Iran.

Ayatollah Khamenei also called on the Iranian authorities to be careful that the rise in the price of fuel would not lead to an increase in the price of other commodities.

The Leader also called on the people to separate themselves from a group of thugs who are encouraged by the foreign-based anti-Iranian front to foment insecurity.

ME