In a report titled "IRGC: We Seized 'Sabotage' Weapons... Khamenei Regrets," Al Arabiya news website highlighted that amid ongoing protests over water shortages in Iran that have erupted for more than a week, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the seizure of a shipment of weapons and ammunition in the northwestern part of the country, claiming they were intended for "sabotage operations and undermining security," according to their statement.
Media outlets affiliated with the militia broadcasted a statement on Friday, announcing the seizure of weapons and ammunition in northwestern Iran, considering that the shipment was directed at executing what they called "sabotage operations."
**Khamenei Blames**
As protests expanded to include new areas beyond Khuzestan, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei expressed that the water issue in Khuzestan represents a concern for the authorities. He lamented that if the water issue had been addressed earlier, the authorities would not have faced the current problems. He stressed in remarks reported by Iranian media that the water problem is not simple and people cannot be blamed for expressing their discontent.
**Protests Expand**
This came at a time when protests continued and expanded in recent hours to include new areas of Iran after starting in Khuzestan province, amidst international condemnation of the security forces' handling of the situation, which included live ammunition being fired at demonstrators, resulting in casualties.
In response, Human Rights Watch emphasized that the authorities in Iran used excessive force to suppress the demonstrations, calling on Tehran to conduct transparent investigations into at least three deaths among protesters and hold those responsible accountable, as well as address long-standing water accessibility issues.
Tara Sepehri Far, a researcher at the organization, noted that Iranian authorities have a troubling record of responding with gunfire to frustrated protesters suffering from rising economic difficulties and deteriorating living conditions. She stressed that government authorities must ensure the right to peaceful assembly and prevent security forces from using excessive force.
**Marginalized for Years**
The oil-rich province, bordering Iraq, has been witnessing protests since last Thursday due to water shortages. Residents of the province had previously complained about being marginalized by the authorities and had experienced anti-government protests in 2019 that extended to other areas of the country.
