ISW: Reigning protests in Iran may pose major challenges to its security services

The Institute for the Study of War has published an article covering recent chemical attacks throughout Iran.

“The Iranian regime is using the recent chemical attacks throughout Iran to set conditions to securitize the country ahead of major national holidays,” Caliber.Az quotes the ISW material as saying on March 7.

According to the article, regardless of whether the regime had any involvement in or knowledge of the attacks, it appears to be using these attacks to justify an increased security presence throughout Iran.

“The combination of ongoing protests and the widespread domestic travel common during the holidays could pose major challenges for the regime’s security services. Using the recent student poisonings to heavily securitize the country at this time could allow the regime to manage those challenges more easily. The regime might also be concerned that extra leisure time during the holidays could free people up to protest and might be trying to deter further protest activity. The regime might also be pursuing a securitized response to the poisonings at this time in order to arrest known protesters and protest organizers. IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency published an article on March 7 claiming that the countrywide poisoning campaign is meant to incite further “riots,” indicating the poisoning campaign might be used as a pretext to crack down on protest groups,” ISW assessed.