The story: A majority of lawmakers in Iran's conservative-dominated parliament has demanded heavy sentences for individuals detained during the unrest that first erupted in September. Meanwhile, the parliament speaker has hinted at the possibility of reforms—but only after an end to street demonstrations. This comes as the continuation of protests has prompted the intelligence wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to ramp up its operations and seen its former chief return to the spotlight.

The coverage: 227 out of the 290 members of Iran’s parliament issued a joint statement on Nov. 6 calling for "decisive" action against "provocateurs of the recent riots."

• The legislators also demanded the death penalty for those convicted of "moharebeh", which translates to “waging war against God.”
  
  
• The MPs compared people charged with "moharebeh" to members of the Islamic State group (IS).
  
  
• After the statement was read on the parliament floor, lawmakers chanted "Down with the US” and “Down with seditionists,” hailing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf was among the lawmakers who made references to IS on Nov. 6. However, he also hinted at...