Iranian police detain 139 foreign nationals in central Yazd province for allegedly organising and inciting anti-government protests.
YAZD: Iranian authorities have arrested 139 foreign nationals in central parts of the country over recent anti-government protests.
Local media reported the arrests on Tuesday, quoting the police chief in Yazd province, Ahmad Negahban.
He said those arrested were involved “in organising, inciting and directing riotous actions, and in some cases were in contact with networks outside the country”.
The nationalities of those detained were not specified.
Protests initially sparked by the rising cost of living erupted in late December before evolving into nationwide demonstrations.
Tehran has acknowledged more than 3,000 deaths during the unrest.
It insists most were security personnel or bystanders, attributing the violence to “terrorist acts”.
Authorities claim the rallies began peacefully before turning into “riots” inflamed by the United States and Israel.
A US-based NGO, the Human Rights Activists News Agency, says it has confirmed 6,854 deaths, mostly protesters killed by security forces.
Other rights groups warn the actual figure is likely far higher.