Alwaght- Leader of Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei condemned suspected poisoning of students in Iran's schools as an “unforgivable and big” crime, calling on authorities to seriously pursue the issue.
“If it is proven that the students were poisoned, the perpetrators of this crime must be severely punished. There will be no amnesty for them,” the Leader stressed.
Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks on Monday as he planted saplings to mark Iran’s national Arbor Day.
“Officials should seriously pursue the issue of students poisoning. This is a big and unforgivable crime,” the Leader said.
Since November 2022, some Iranian students have reported symptoms of poisoning while in school. The outbreak started in the central city of Qom before expanding to other cities.
In most cases, students suffered respiratory problems, nausea, fatigue and dizziness, while some were hospitalized.
Iran’s President Ebrahim Raeisi has ordered the ministers of intelligence and interior to follow up on the poisoning cases.
“The enemy’s new conspiracy of creating fear in the hearts of students… and their parents is a crime and an inhumane act,” he said during a cabinet meeting on Sunday.
In his Monday remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei further said that responsible bodies, including intelligence and law enforcement agencies, should find the origin of the crime, as well as the agents and the masterminds.
“This is both a crime against the most innocent members of the society, meaning children, and a source of psychological insecurity in the society and concern for the affected families,” the Leader added.
Leader criticizes ‘single-product economy’
Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to economic issues, saying, the country’s current problems regarding the value of the national currency, inflation and the high cost of living are the result of a single-product economy.
“Officials should use all possible economic ways to find the right solution to people’s problems,” the Leader said.
