The mysterious poisonings of schoolgirls in Iran that started in November resulted in 13,000 suspected cases, including 100 children still being treated in hospitals.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported on Monday, citing government figures.

The poisonings had angered the country and sparked new protests last week.

Iran’s government assumes the attacks were targeted. Almost exclusively, girls’ schools were affected.

Parents and relatives are outraged and accuse the authorities of failure, blaming them in part.

However, doctors speak of gas poisoning. The background is still largely unclear. There have been no deaths to date.

Iran’s political and spiritual leadership has been under massive pressure since the outbreak of protests in autumn against the repressive government and the Islamic system of rule.

Triggered by the death of the Iranian-Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, in police custody, Tehran plunged into its worst political crisis in decades.

The 22-year-old was taken into custody on September 14 for allegedly improperly wearing her headscarf and was dead two days later while still being held by the police. 

(dpa/NAN)