Top Iran official warns protests could destabilize country

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s parliamentary speaker has warned that protests over the death of a young woman in police custody could destabilize the country. He urged security forces Sunday to deal harshly with those he claimed endanger public security. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf told Parliament that unlike the current protests, which he said aim to topple the government, previous demonstrations by teachers and retirees over pay were aimed at reforms. Thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets over the last two weeks to protest the death in custody of a 22-year-old woman who had been detained by Iran’s morality police for allegedly not adhering to Iran’s strict Islamic dress code.