Iran requests aid from Moscow to crackdown mass protests – sources

The Iranian authorities have asked Russia for assistance in putting down the revolt by providing anti-riot tools and training, Iran International reported.

As Tehran prepares for a protracted conflict with demonstrators and worries about its limited workforce and weapons, the Iranian authorities requested that Moscow provide internal security advisers.

Tehran relies on data from Moscow to evaluate its internal position, as evidenced by secret papers recently seized by hackers and shared with Iran International. The documents mention Russia’s spying on Western communications to inform Tehran about the nature and scale of the protest movement.

The newly leaked information shows Tehran requested assistance from Moscow, supported by statements made by the White House in late October that suggested Russia might be instructing Tehran on the best ways to crack down on the ongoing protests.

The White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that Moscow might be aiding the Islamic Republic by drawing on its experience in repressing protests.

“Public data demonstrate Iran’s involvement in Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine. The more isolated they are, the closer Iran and Russia are to one another”, explained Jean-Pierre. “Our message to Iran is crystal clear: Stop murdering your people and stop supplying Russia with weapons to kill Ukrainians.”

The Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, John Kirby, said that the White House is sure about Russia’s help in the crackdown on protesters. “We know they may be considering some support for Iran’s ability to crack down on protesters. And regrettably, Russia is skilled at doing that, he added.

“Just another example of Russia and Iran now working together to violate the – not only the human rights and civil rights of individuals in Iran but, of course, and put the lives of Ukrainians in additional threat,” Kirby emphasized.

The outcry against Iran’s brutal suppression of anti-government demonstrations, which was first sparked by Mahsa Amini’s murder and has since resulted in about 470 additional killings, has now been amplified by the Islamic Republic’s pivot toward Russia and its support of its invasion of Ukraine with kamikaze drones.

The chief commanders of the IRGC have called up 1,000 retired members to assist in putting an end to the mass revolt because they lack the necessary forces. Still, only 300 have agreed to report back to duty, and end protests, a senior Revolutionary Guard commander told Iran International.

An audio tape intercepted by the hacktivist collective Black Reward highlighted worries among Iranian officials about their overburdened security personnel, media missteps, and general strikes.

Since the start of the demonstrations, around 18,000 people have been detained. Some demonstrators have already received death sentences, though none have been carried out. Since September 17, 469 protesters and 61 members of the security forces have died, according to HRANA, a Norway-based news organization.