Iran: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi blamed wave of poisonings of hundreds of schoolgirls around country on Tehran’s enemies.

So-far unexplained poison attacks at more than 30 schools in at least four cities began in November in Iran’s holy city of Qom, prompting some parents to take their children out of school. Since outbreak of mysterious poisonings, almost 1,200 students have required hospital treatment for breathing difficulties, an Iranian lawmaker said.

poisonings have provoked wave of anger across country, with critics denouncing official silence in face of growing number of schools reportedly being targeted. Iran’s Health Minister said that hundreds of girls in different schools have suffered and some politicians have suggested they could have been targeted by religious groups opposed to girls’ education.

Raisi, speaking to crowd in southern Iran in speech carried live on state television, blamed poisoning on Iran’s enemies.

“This is security project to cause chaos in country whereby enemy seeks to instil fear and insecurity among parents and students,” he said.

He did not say who those enemies were although Iranian leaders habitually accuse United States and Israel, among others of acting against it.

Die Berichte vergifteter Schulmädchen in #Iran sind schockierend. Mädchen müssen ohne Angst zur Schule gehen können - ganz egal ob in Teheran oder Ardabil. Das ist nichts weniger als ihr #Menschenrecht. Alle Fälle müssen lückenlos aufgeklärt werden.

— Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock (@ABaerbock) March 3, 2023

Separately, senior Iranian official said fuel tanker found next to school in Tehran suburb and which had also been spotted in two other cities was probably involved in poisonings.

Authorities seized tanker and arrested its driver, Reza Karimi Saleh, Deputy Governor of Pardis suburb told semi-official Tasnim news agency.

He is first government official to report an arrest in connection with wave of poisonings.

“Guards at parking lot where fuel tanker was parked also suffered from poisoning,” Saleh said, referring to Pardis site.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 04 2023

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