There is confusion in Iran over the fate of the country’s infamous vice squad after a senior official said it had been disbanded.
The force is blamed for the death in police custody of Mahsa Aminia young protester whose murder sparked months of ongoing protests.
The country’s Interior Ministry has not confirmed the claim, and Iranian state media has since said the official in question was not responsible for managing the force.
It was also reported that authorities would relax rules requiring women to wear the hijab headscarf.
Iran Cambridge University observer Roxane Farmanfarmaian told Sky News that rumors the regime was softening its stance appeared to have been greatly exaggerated.
“The government shows no signs of giving in to protesters’ demands. I see no backing down from the government,” she said.
She was skeptical that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi intended to relax regulations on wearing the hijab.
“He would be highly discredited as president if he backtracked from increasing hijab restrictions in July.”
Mixed signals can be tactical. The Iranian regime is preparing for three days of strikes across the country.
Shops in markets and bazaars are closed following protesters’ calls to close. The authorities may be aiming to slow the unrest by hinting at concessions.
Observers say neither the government nor the protesters show any signs of backing down and the coming week could see more violence as the Iranian government tries to crush the latest wave of protests and dissent.
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Iran has seen months of unrest in which hundreds of protesters have been killed and thousands imprisoned.
Protesters hope economic action, including strikes and store closures, will help bring down the government, as well as nationwide protests.
But there is little evidence that the government is weakening or splitting. Crucially important sectors of the economy did not join the strikes.
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In 1979, the oil workers joined the revolution against the shah and their action played a crucial role in his overthrow.
So far they have stayed away. The financial cost of the strike in the current economic climate may be a price many are unwilling to pay, regardless of their opposition to the country’s regime.
A Western diplomat has told Sky News that Iran’s leaders have lost credibility and all popular support and will be unable to maintain their grip on power indefinitely, but there is no way of knowing how long they will. can continue to lead the country.
