Iran protests: Army vows to ‘confront enemy’

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The Iranian army on Friday issued its toughest warning yet to thousands of demonstrators across the nation protesting the death of Mahsa Amini and said it will “confront the enemies” to ensure security, first reported Reuters.

The army claimed “these desperate actions are part of the evil strategy of the enemy to weaken the Islamic regime”.

However, furious protests erupted nationwide following the death of Amini, 22, who was killed while in custody last week after being arrested by the “morality police” for wearing “unsuitable attire” relating to hijab requirements.

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Men and women have taken to the streets across Iran to protest the strict laws on women, and according to footage obtained by Fox News Digital, spread across Iran Thursday night chanting, “I will kill whoever killed my sister.”

Iranian pro-government demonstrators attend a rally after their Friday prayers to condemn recent anti-government protests over the death of a young woman in police custody, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.  (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Additional footage showed Iranian armed forces chasing protestors down dark streets and breaking into people’s homes where demonstrators appeared to take refuge. 

According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Amini was arrested by Iran’s morality police September 13 for “improper hijab” use. 

Reports have indicated she was severely beaten by members of the morality police, possibly tortured during her arrest and detainment at the Vozara Detention Centre.

Kurdish women activists hold headscarves and a portrait of Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, with Arabic that reads, “The woman is life, don’t kill the life,” during a protest against her death in Iran, at Martyrs’ Square in downtown Beirut, Sept. 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, File)

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Iranian officials have claimed Amini died of a heart attack and was not mistreated. 

“We strongly condemn the use of physical violence against women and the denial of fundamental human dignity when enforcing compulsory hijab policies ordained by State authorities,” U.N. officials said Thursday.

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi said his administration would investigate Amini’s death, and the U.N. has called on him to ensure the findings are made public. 

At least nine protestors have died since the demonstrations erupted over the weekend, and some 280 people were arrested Thursday, according to Reuters. 

People light a fire during a protest over the death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who died after being arrested by the Islamic republic’s “morality police”, in Tehran, Iran Sept. 21, 2022.  (WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS)

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Iranian officials are concerned the massive protests could turn even more violent like the 2019 demonstrations over gas prices that left 1,500 dead in the bloodiest protests in the Islamic Republic’s history.

Protests are expected to continue Friday with no signs of calming down over the weekend. 

Caitlin McFall is a Fox News Digital reporter. You can reach her at caitlin.mcfall@fox.com or @ctlnmcfall on Twitter.