The deputy of Iran’s Supreme Leader’s representative in the Revolutionary Guard has said the military institution should train “forces who can have their finger on the trigger without fear."

Hossein Tayyebifar, who is the IRGC’s deputy for clerical affairs, made the remark during a ceremony to introduce the new representative of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Ardabil province, northwestern Iran, adding that such forces can defend the achievements of the Islamic revolution and its fundamental values and beliefs.

Khamenei had earlier ordered his supporters “to fire at will”, metaphorically giving a green light for religious zealots and security forces to act as they deem necessary. 

Where you feel that the central apparatus has a flaw and cannot manage a situation properly, fire at will; “It means you have to decide, think, find, move, act and yourself," Khamenei said in June 2017, which was interpreted as his permission to his supporters to deal with opposition. 

His remarks came as the Iranian government has handed a draft bill to parliament to ease the use of firearms by different security forces against civilians amid recurring protests while different organizations are taking up a notch their level of control over the society.

A letter obtained by Iran International shows that the prosecutor of Mashhad in northeastern Iran has ordered the city’s governor to prevent women not observing hijab rules from using the city’s subway, while the government is intensifying social restrictions, including closing cafés and detaining women for “improper” hijab.