Iran detains over 100 persons over suspected poisonings of girls

• More than 100 people have been detained in Iran over poisoning attack.
• Which has been attributed to the widespread demonstrations in response to Mahsa Ami’s passing.
• The White House is calling for a “credible, impartial” probe into the poisonings of Iranian schoolgirls.

More than 100 people have been detained in Iran “in connection with” the alleged poisoning of hundreds of schoolgirls nationwide.

State-run news agency reported that the individuals had been “recognized, apprehended, and probed” in a number of places, including Iran’s capital Tehran, according to a statement from the Interior Ministry.

“Initial inquiries show that a number of these people, out of mischief or adventurism and with the aim of shutting down classrooms and influenced by the created psychological atmosphere, have taken measures such as using harmless and smelly substances,” the statement read.

In recent months, Iran has experienced a spate of alleged poisonings that were almost exclusively committed at girl’s schools.

While Iranian lawmakers have indicated that hardline Islamist organizations may have targeted the girls, activists think the poisonings may have something to do with the widespread demonstrations that broke out last September in response to Mahsa Ami’s passing.

Many schoolgirls have participated in the demonstrations by refusing to wear the required headscarves in class, defacing images of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and demanding for his execution.

The Iranian government has been charged of trying to quiet the victims, according to doctors, parents, and teachers.

The alleged poisonings were earlier described as a “unforgivable act” by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who also demanded “serious punishment” for those proven to be responsible.

Among those arrested, the ministry said, were “individuals who have had hostile motives, tried to create fear and horror among people and students, shut down schools, and created pessimism toward” the Iranian government.

The statement added that the number of poisoning cases at girls’ schools across the nation has been declining “over the previous several days” and that they would stay “under investigation until required assurances are attained.”

According to Iranian official media, the first alleged poisonings occurred in November at a high school in the city of Qom, sending 18 schoolgirls to the hospital.

A mother of two kids from Qom earlier revealed to reputed media outlet that the poisoning caused serious health problems for both girls, who attended different schools.

While the other girl now had “difficulty walking,” the other girl reported experiencing nausea, loss of breath, numbness in her left leg, and numbness in her right hand.

In February, the city saw another incident that resulted in the hospitalisation of over 100 pupils from 13 different schools due to what the Iranian state news outlets referred to as “serial poisonings.”

The Iranian government has been urged by the United States and the United Nations to adequately investigate the alleged poisonings and bring those responsible to justice.

The White House stated on Monday that there needed to be a “credible, impartial” probe into the poisonings of Iranian schoolgirls, implying that the United Nations could be able to look into the situation.

The Biden administration has previously suggested Iran was conducting its own inquiry.

Nevertheless, in response to a question from CNN’s Phil Mattingly on Monday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the circumstance might be covered by the UN’s impartial fact-finding mission on Iran.

“We are closely following this deeply concerning situation that we’re seeing in Iran,” she said. “The continued poisoning of schoolgirls across Iran is unconscionable.

There must be a credible, independent investigation (and) accountability for those responsible.”

She claimed that if the poisonings were connected to the most recent protests, it fell “clearly within” the purview of the UN fact-finding mission.

“The possibility that girls in Iran are being possibly poisoned for simply for trying to get an education is shameful, it’s unacceptable,” she said.

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