Iranian Protesters Raise Stakes, Attacking Police Stations

Stations Set Ablaze, One Policeman Reported Killed

Jason Ditz 

Posted onJanuary 1, 2018CategoriesNewsTagsIran

Violent crackdowns overnight on Sunday against protesters have led to a violent backlash in Iran, as some of the protesters look to raise the stakes with attacks of their own against police stations, with reports of some posts and stations being set ablaze.

Monday was the fifth day of protests in Iran, which started with small economic protests in Tehran, and have since grown into major political protests that are increasingly expanding nationwide.

At least one policeman has been confirmed killed, shot with a hunting rifle, and three others were reported wounded. The killing took place in Najaf Abad, on the outskirts of the major city of Isfahan.

Iranian state TV also reported clashes at unspecified military facilities in the country, where protesters attempted to force their way in and were repelled by “strong resistance” from the troops within.

Hundreds have been reported arrested nationwide as Iran tries to keep a lid on the protests, but are struggling between calls by moderates to avoid making things worse, and calls by hardliners to restore order quickly and forcefully.

http://news.antiwar.com/2018/01/01/iranian-protesters-raise-stakes-attacking-police-stations/