Armed groups, foreign-backed elements and terrorist actors are orchestrating violence, arson attacks and assaults on public infrastructure.

Iranian security officials say more than 100 people have been arrested in several provinces in connection with recent riots, while senior officials cited foreign involvement, including the United States and Israel, for turning economic protests into violent disturbances.The source said the suspects had maintained contact with intermediaries linked to foreign intelligence services and had coordinated acts of vandalism and disruption.

The source added that confessions by those detained indicated plans to fabricate fatalities and accuse the Islamic Republic of killing young people, saying their goals went beyond peaceful protest and were aimed at creating instability to advance political objectives.

The source said arrests would continue until unrest ended and conditions returned to normal in North Khorasan.Authorities also reported extensive damage to emergency services. Tehran Fire Department chief Ghodratollah Mohammadi said that during two days of riots, 43 fire engines had been damaged and eight completely destroyed.

Mohammadi said firefighters were prevented from responding to emergency calls after rioters blocked vehicles, forced crews out, and vandalized fire engines. He said one fire station in Tehran had been attacked, damaged and looted.

He added that 15 fire engines were damaged in Isfahan and five in Ahvaz. Mohammadi said the loss of equipment, much of it imported with foreign currency, would be costly and time-consuming to replace.

PressTV report