Iran security chief warns of firm response as unrest continues

Iran’s top security official warned Saturday of a firm response to what he described as armed and foreign-linked violence, as protests triggered by economic hardship continued across the country for a third week, Anadolu reports. Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said security forces and the judiciary were prepared to confront individuals involved in organized attacks and armed unrest “in the strongest manner,” while urging caution to avoid harm to civilians. Speaking in a televised interview broadcast by the Iranian state broadcaster Press TV, Larijani said acts such as looting, arson and attacks on public and security facilities could not be explained by economic grievances alone. “Someone with economic problems does not burn shops or attack […]