Iran’s supreme leader says that if a series of suspected poisonings at girls’ schools are proven to be deliberate, the culprits should be sentenced to death for committing an “unforgivable crime.” Monday's remarks were the first time Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all matters of state, has spoken publicly about the suspected poisonings. The incidents began late last year and have reportedly sickened hundreds of children. Iranian officials only acknowledged them in recent weeks and have provided no details on who may be behind the attacks or what chemicals — if any — have been used. Unlike neighboring Afghanistan, Iran has no history of religious extremists targeting women’s education.
