Iran cleric denounces acid attacks as 'plot'

A senior Iranian cleric says the recent acid attacks against women in Iran are plots aimed at sabotaging a parliamentary bill empowering people to further promote moralities in the society, Press TV reports.

“Some people are trying to create the impression that promotion of virtue and prevention of vice is to disrupt public security,” Kazem Seddiqi told worshippers at weekly Friday Prayers in Tehran.

Acid attacks are “a plot to overshadow the legislation on promotion of virtue and prevention of vice, which is a religious obligation,” he said.

Reports of a spate of recent acid attacks against women in the central city of Esfahan have sparked grave concerns among the Iranian public and led to widespread speculations in the press and social media.