European countries denounce Iran’s government violence

(MENAFN) Several European countries have strongly condemned the Iranian government’s use of force against demonstrators, summoning Iranian envoys to demand respect for citizens’ freedoms and basic rights.

In the United Kingdom, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper summoned Iran’s envoy to seek accountability for reports of violence and killings targeting protesters. Similarly, France called in its Iranian envoy, condemning “in the strongest terms the state violence inflicted indiscriminately on peaceful demonstrators.”

Germany also protested the crackdown, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz asserting that the Iranian regime is experiencing its “final days and weeks.” Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned Mohammad Reza Sabouri, denouncing the “extremely high price” in blood being paid by protesters as “absolutely unacceptable.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the rising casualties as “horrifying,” condemning the excessive use of force and restrictions on freedoms. She announced that, in coordination with the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, further sanctions on those responsible for the repression would be proposed.

Spain joined the European response, summoning Iranian Ambassador Reza Zabib. Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares expressed the country’s “strong repudiation and condemnation” of the crackdown, emphasizing that the situation is being followed with “great concern.”

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