Iran: Security forces fire tear gas near girls school in dispute over mobile phones

Security forces in Iran fired tear gas near a girls' school in the capital Tehran this week. The tear gas followed a dispute between authorities and students over mobile phones.

Iranian security forces Monday fired tear gas near a girls’ school in Tehran, following a dispute between authorities and students over mobile phones, according to videos that were shared on social media. The latest incident comes amidst the ongoing anti-government protests in the country sparked by the death of a woman in the custody of the morality police.

The videos circulating on social media showed armed security forces outside the school, with one clip showing them on motorbikes and firing one tear gas canister.

The Iranian education ministry said several students were treated by emergency services for a drop in blood pressure. However, the ministry added that the security forces did not enter the school. The ministry said there was a clash between the students, parents, and staff of the school when the principal insisted on checking the students’ mobile phones.

Protests continued this week following the death of Mahsa Amini back in September. Amini, a Kurdish-Iranian, was arrested by the morality police over “improper attire” and died three days after her detainment, sparking public outrage. Rights groups say around 200 people were killed in the efforts by Tehran to crack down on the demonstrations.

Tehran has also sought to blame individuals with ties to foreign governments for the unrest. The deaths of several teenage girls who were allegedly killed during the crackdown have further fueled the protests.

Protesters have called for an end to the country’s clerical rule that has governed Iran since the 1979 Revolution, along with overthrowing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has also come under even more scrutiny for its possible involvement in the war in Ukraine through the drones Russia used to attack. Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said that should it be proven that Iranian drones were being used by Russia in its war on Ukraine, then Tehran will not remain indifferent to the matter.

“If it is proven to us that Iranian drones are being used in the Ukrainian war against people, we should not remain indifferent,” said Amirabdollahian, according to state media.