New Wave of Iranian Poisonings

New cases of suspected poisonous-gas attacks on mainly girls’ schools in Iran emerged this week, following a wave of incidents in recent months. At least a dozen attacks were reported yesterday throughout the country. Thousands of students have reportedly been affected by similar incidents since the first cases were reported in November, with at least 26 schools being affected on a single day in March. Students have reported symptoms such as respiratory problems, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. See our previous write-up here and see a visual breakdown of the suspected poisonings here. The news comes weeks after Iran announced the arrest of more than 100 people in connection with the poisoning incidents. Iranian officials suggest the incidents may be a deliberate effort to prevent girls from receiving an education. However, the exact chemicals causing the symptoms remain unclear.