Ahmadreza Radan, commander-in-chief of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF), said Friday that police had been authorised to shoot suspected thieves on sight.

“Because we are in a state of war, I have issued a shoot-to-kill order for dealing with potential thieves,” Radan said in an interview with state television. “If any thief is caught by our forces, they will be shot and immobilised.”

On Thursday, state broadcaster IRIB aired an interview with a member of Iran’s Parliamentary National Security Commission who warned parents to prevent their children from joining protests.

The former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) member, Salar Velayatmadar, said parents who did not control their “ignorant and unaware” children who joined demonstrations or “aligned with the enemy” would face consequences, including death.

“We do not want your child to be killed, because your child is ignorant and unaware,” he said.

The warnings come as Basij bases, police stations and law enforcement headquarters have been targeted, and authorities fear renewed street protests.