Iran schoolgirls allegedly poisoned in attempt to close schools, authorities investigating – National [Video]

Iranian authorities are investigating reports that hundreds of schoolgirls have been intentionally poisoned by noxious fumes wafting into classrooms at predominantly all-girls schools.

Dozens of schoolgirls in Iranian cities like Qom and Borujerd have reportedly been hospitalized as a result of the attacks. About 30 schools in the region have been targets of the poisonings, according to reports by local media.

Iran’s deputy education minister Younes Panahi confirmed Sunday to the state-run IRNA news agency that “some people wanted all schools, especially girls’ schools, to be closed.” He added that “a large percentage” of the chemicals used to allegedly poison students are “treatable.”

The Guardian spoke to Masih Alinejad, an Iranian human rights activist based in New York, who claimed the attacks are possibly “revenge by the Islamic Republic” against school-aged girls who have been at the forefront of the country’s ongoing protests.

Large protests have persisted in …