Larijani calls for 'calm, tolerance'

Iran's Parliament (Majlis) Speaker Ali Larijani has called for calm in the face of recent unrest in the country which he described as an "ordeal.", PressTV reported,

"The [true nature of the] ordeal will be laid bare, if faced with patience and tolerance [on the side of the Iranian nation]. Another means of confronting [the rioters] is making attempts to return calm," Larijani said on Friday, Mehr News reported,

Larijani referred to the Wednesday demonstrations in which millions of Iranians condemned what they called Ashura desecration by rioters, saying that "some believe that through arson and vandalizing public property, they can force the Iranian nation to retreat."

"The Iranian nation has proved that it will not make compromises with anyone," he added.

Larijani also said the current situation in Iran is a test, of which Iranians have been aware.

"Do you seek to restore dictatorship in the country by chanting slogans against the Rule of the Just Jurisprudent?" the parliament speaker asked the rioters.

Larijani also called for those behind the recent unrest to be brought to justice. "It is necessary that those who desecrated Ashura and the leaders of such movements face tough punishments," he said.