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Iran’s health minister says hundreds of girls in more than 30 schools across the country were victims of “mild poison” gas attacks.

The attacks allegedly began as early as November, causing many families to pull their daughters out of school. A judicial probe into who is behind the attacks is currently underway.

Several officials have suggested that hard-line Shiite Muslims who are opposed to girls’ education are to blame.

The attacks come at a critical time for Iran’s clerical rulers, who faced months of anti-government protests sparked by the death of a young Iranian woman who was beaten for failing to abide by Iran’s strict dress codes.