Hardliner Iranian lawmaker Mohammad Esmail Kowsari has threatened security forces of consequences if they “do not fulfill their duties” during the crackdown on popular protests. 

Kowsari who was also a Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) commander in charge of Tehran’s security for many years, said, “If security officials do not fulfill their duties, they should be accountable to their commanders and the people."

The General was the commander of the IRGC’s Sarallah (Sar-Allah) Headquarters in Tehran and currently serves as Tehran’s representative in the parliament. 

Describing the protesters, who have been holding antigovernment rallies since the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, as “rioters,” he said there are some attempts “to weaken” the morale of government forces. 

He also slammed some former government officials who are now critical of the heavy-handed clampdown, claiming that “these people are not aware of the behind-the-scenes issues of the recent riots…They think that statements by foreigners are true and that the security and law enforcement forces have committed crimes.”

Several dissident figures from inside Iran and abroad, such as Canada-based activist Hamed Esmaeilion, Mir-Hossein Mousavi who has been under house arrest since February 2011, and exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi have called the military forces to stand behind the nation.