The head of Irans elite Revolutionary Guards has told Iranians to end the weeks-long demonstrations that have gripped the country, warning that Saturday would be their "last day" of protest, a media report said.
Speaking at the funeral of victims of an attack carried out by Islamic State in the city of Shiraz on Wednesday, Hossein Salami called on Iranian youth specifically to desist from protesting, CNN reported.
"Today is the last day of the riots. Do not come to the streets again. What do you want from this nation," Salami asked, the report said.
Protests have swept through the Islamic Republic for weeks following the death of Mahsa Amini who died on September 16 after being detained by "morality police" and taken to a "re-education centre", allegedly for not abiding by the country's conservative dress code.
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Protesters in the eastern city of Zahedan encountered teargas and gunfire following Friday prayers, according to videos posted on social media and provided by IranWire, an activist website. At least one 12-year-old boy was shot, according to a video posted on activist group 1500tasvir's social channels.
Salami criticised the supposed influence of American and Israeli politicians on the protest movement, alleging that they do "not call you directly, but through their media they force you to face your society", CNN reported.
He previously issued a warning to Saudi Arabia last week as his government continued to face off against protesters at home. "You are involved in this matter and know that you are vulnerable, it is better to be careful," he said on the sidelines of a military drill last week.
Salami was referring to what state news outlets called a "media war" that they say is being waged against "the Iranian youth and nation" by foreign conspirators seeking to create unrest in the country by supporting protesters there, CNN reported.
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Then, on Thursday Iran again warned Saudi Arabia, as well as the United States and the United Kingdom, to "stop interfering in the country's internal affairs."
