Two weeks ago Tehran’s Sepah commander announced the start of new urban patrols by Sepah and Basij forces, to combat “social pathologies” and crimes in the greater Tehran area, population estimated from 12 to 14 millions.
Meanwhile the Interior ministry insisted it had not requested any assistance in the matter, and besides Sepah, Basij and Interior ministry there are at least 12 other law enforcement, security, intelligence and military agencies assigned for maintaining order in the capital city.
Since the initial announcement in Tehran, Sepah’s patrols have also started in other major cities of Iran; Shiraz, Isfahan,…
This blatant display of Sepah’s presence is in contradiction to the wishes of Rouhani’s middles class voters who were optimistic about the expansion of civil liberties and freedom under a reformist administration.
Cartoon via IranWire
