Raisi remarks and international reactions to the Iranian school poisonings
Raisi criticized what he called attempts to sow trouble across streets, markets and schools with the aim of disappointing the Iranian people. He asserted that the plans had been dismantled by the public, emphasizing a stance of resilience in the face of alleged provocations.
He described Iran as facing persistent sanctions and threats, criticizing what he called political intrigues that he claimed were doomed to fail. These remarks were reported by Mehr News Agency, which covered the president’s statements condemning the alleged external pressures on the country.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanani highlighted that one government priority is addressing the situation and creating ongoing, documented information about investigation results to reassure families. He asserted that those responsible would be held accountable and stressed that Iran would not delay its efforts to illuminate the root causes of the alleged events, as reported by Tasnim News Agency.
Kanani warned about quick, uncomfortable, and conspicuous reactions from certain countries in the wake of these events, describing what he called an ongoing interventionist stance alongside other political aims observed in recent months.
John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, said he was deeply concerned about the reported poisonings of hundreds of girls in Iranian schools, while noting that the exact cause remained unknown at that time.
Gas attacks, according to Amnesty International
Amnesty International described the situation as deeply troubling. The organization noted that the information available indicates the Iranian government is conducting an investigation and urged that the process be thorough, transparent, and comprehensive. It was stated that such investigations should aim to produce clear, accountable findings for the public, and that accountability matters be addressed promptly.
Amnesty International also stressed that girls attending schools should focus on learning rather than concerns about their health. While awaiting investigation results, the organization cautioned against premature judgments and called for careful, fact-based conclusions based on forthcoming findings.
The first reports of poisonings emerged more than two months earlier at a school in Qom, the capital of Qom Province, where at least 51 students were hospitalized with symptoms suggesting respiratory exposure. Similar incidents were later documented in other regions, including Ardabil in the northwest, where more than a hundred students required hospitalization due to comparable ailments.
In response to the rising alarms, Amnesty International highlighted alleged gas attacks on girls’ schools in Iran and noted that President Raisi had ordered a thorough investigation to identify the underlying causes as quickly as possible. Deputy Health Minister Yunes Panahi later stated that the poisonings were intentional and involved a range of chemical compounds; however, those comments were subsequently retracted, with officials signaling a broader aim to address safety concerns in schools for girls.