The European Union has harshly condemned Iran’s crackdown on protesters who took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the Islamic Republic.
“The Iranian people are fighting for their future. By ignoring their legitimate demands, the regime is showing its true colors,” High Representative Kaja Kalas said on Friday. “Videos from Tehran reveal a disproportionate and heavy-handed response by security forces. Any violence against peaceful demonstrators is unacceptable.”
Separately, the European Commission condemned the “increasing number of deaths and injuries” and called for respect for the right to peaceful assembly.
“The Iranian people have expressed a legitimate desire for a better life,” a European Commission spokesperson said in a daily briefing with reporters.
Asked whether the European Commission supported regime change as a result of the widespread demonstrations, a spokesperson said: “Regime change is not part of the EU’s integration policy towards Iran.”
The protests began on December 28, with demonstrators expressing their dissatisfaction with the country’s government. sluggish economyrapid inflation and a freely depreciating currency. As the movement rapidly spread across the country, it gradually turned into an open defiance of the theocratic regime as a whole, with chants of “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to the Islamic Republic!”
As protests grow, Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei The government said it would “not back down” and vowed “no leniency.” He also accused protesters of “destroying their own streets to please another country’s president,” referring to US President Donald Trump, who previously warned that Iran would be “very, very hurt” if it killed its own people.
At least 42 people have been killed and more than 2,270 detained in Iran since December 28, according to the US-based Human Rights Defenders News Agency.
The latest escalation occurred Thursday night after Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of Iran’s last shah, encouraged Iranians to fight for freedom.
In a direct appeal, Pahlavi called on European leaders to follow Trump’s lead and “break their silence and act more decisively” in support of the Iranian people.
“We urge you to use all available technical, financial and diplomatic resources to restore communication with the Iranian people and ensure that their voice and will is heard.” “Please do not silence the voices of my brave fellow citizens.”
In response to Faravi’s intervention, the Iranian government cut off access to the internet and international phone calls, further intensifying the backlash both at home and abroad.
“Shutdown the internet while violently suppressing protests reveals a regime that fears its own people,” Karas said in a statement.
“The bondage of oppression”
Reactions began pouring in from European leaders on Thursday. After internet shutdown And it continued on Friday.
President of the European Parliament Roberta Mezzola He was the first to voice his opinion, paying tribute to “a generation that wants to break free from the shackles of oppression” and condemning “the cruelty of a regime that focuses on self-preservation.”
“We know that change is afoot,” Mezzola said in a social media video.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Weber said: “The courageous Iranian people are rising up for freedom after years of oppression and economic hardship. They deserve our full support.”
His Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson echoed the message. “The self-evident demands for freedom and a better future can never be silenced by violence and repression in the long run,” Kristersson said on social media.
German Foreign Minister Johann Vardepoul condemned the “use of excessive force” and called on Iranian authorities to “comply with their international obligations”.
Iran’s mission to the EU hit back, referring to Europe’s response to Israeli military attacks in the Gaza Strip, calling expressions of solidarity with protesters “interventionist” and reflecting a “double-standard approach.”
The protests come at a volatile time for Iran following last year’s 12-day armed conflict with Israel and subsequent attacks on U.S. nuclear facilities. France, Germany and the UK subsequently decided to reimpose UN sanctions against Iran. non-compliance The international agreement was aimed at reducing the nuclear program.
