European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has voiced strong condemnation against the violent repression of protesters in Iran, urging the release of those detained during ongoing demonstrations against the Tehran government. In a statement shared on social media, she declared that Europe stands “fully behind” the demonstrators, and emphasized the need for their immediate release and restoration of internet access, which has been disrupted since Thursday.
Protests erupt over economic turmoil
The wave of protests that began in December has been fueled by widespread public dissatisfaction over Iran’s dire economic situation. What started as grievances over economic hardships rapidly evolved into a broader challenge to the clerical leadership of the country.
As protests persist, reports indicate that hospitals are struggling under the pressure of injuries from the crackdown, while the Iranian military has urged citizens to thwart what it describes as “enemy plots.” According to the organization Human Rights Activists in Iran, the unrest has resulted in the deaths of at least 65 individuals and the arrest of over 2,300 people across 180 cities, with protests recorded at 512 distinct locations. Time magazine has reported that the death toll might exceed 200.
International calls for action
A Western diplomat has described claims of a higher death toll, as suggested by NGOs, as “credible.” Furthermore, a spokesperson from the exiled opposition group National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) indicated that initial assessments from smaller towns in Iran suggest the actual fatalities may be significantly higher than those officially confirmed.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has advocated for the European Union to officially designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization and to impose further sanctions on the Iranian regime. She asserted that “those braving the streets, those political prisoners still being detained, need more than just words,” calling for concrete actions from Europe.
In a unified stance, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer collectively urged Iranian authorities on Friday to “refrain from violence” against protesters. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has also expressed support for the demonstrators, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirming America’s backing for the courageous Iranian populace.
On Saturday, demonstrators gathered outside the Iranian embassy in Brussels, although the protest dissipated later in the day. Reports from cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks indicate that Iran’s internet blackout has reached the 48-hour mark, with the organization confirming that the nationwide disruption remains intact.
“We unequivocally condemn the violent repression of these legitimate demonstrations.”