Around Iran: Regional Round-up

This week in Iran’s provinces, a clash in Ardabil leaves four dead; protests call for the governor’s resignation in Zahedan; renewed debate over the filtering of mobile apps; Mashhad’s mayor calls for a baby boom; and figures on death by drowning in Mazandaran are published.

Clash with Antique Smugglers Leaves Four Dead

Four people were killed and at least one injured following an armed clash in Bileh Savar near the border with Azerbaijan. Ardabil Province’s police chief confirmed reports that two police officers on patrol were ambushed when they stopped to investigate an abandoned vehicle on the side of the road. Suspected smugglers shot and killed the officers and two further victims, reported to be antique and artifact dealers, were found in the car. A third officer reportedly arrived at the seen after hearing gunshots and was shot and badly wounded.

Ban on Whatsapp

The Ministry of Communications has called for a ban on the popular mobile texting app Whatsapp. In a April 30th announcement, the head of the Committee for Determining Illegal Web Content said the move had been approved and the ministry officially informed. The decision, which has not yet been implemented, has reignited debate around which government body has the final say on filtering, even though access to Whatsapp and similar apps are occasionally blocked without this clarification being determined. Mahmoud Vaezi, the Minister for Communications, is thought to oppose the WhatsApp decision. The committee is also set to rule on whether Viber, Tango and Instagram will be banned.

Anti-Government Protests Erupt In Zahedan

On April 26th, protesters called for the resignation and punishment of the Baluchistan-Sistan region’s governor. Demonstrations in the city of Zahedan erupted during a funeral procession for the military registrar official, Mohammad Reza Sayyadi, who was shot and killed in his office. Although the gunmen responsible for his death have not been identified, in recent weeks Sunni militants have murdered a number of people in the region, including a teacher, a solider and a laborer. No one has been arrested for the murders. Protesters also shouted chants against Molavi Abdolhamid, the province's Sunni Friday Prayer leader, during the procession. The protests made front page headlines of several hardline newspapers.

Mashhad Mayor Offers Financial Rewards for Having More Babies

The mayor of Mashhad, Solat Mortazavi, promised female municipal employees a "five million toman reward for giving birth to a fifth child." The move, part of a nationwide campaign to reverse Iran’s falling birth rate, aimed to encourage Mashhad residents to have more children.  Mortazavi also promised women longer periods of maternity leave and shorter work weeks. Plans to offer financial incentives to those who have three children were also underway, he said.

Mazandaran Drowning Deaths Figures Published

Mazandaran’s coroner court announced on April 9^th that 224 people had drowned in the province's rivers and along the Caspian coast over the past year. The regional figures stated that 204 men and 20 women had lost their lives, representing a five per cent increase on the previous year.