European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has condemned Iran’s response to ongoing nationwide protests, describing the repression as “violent” and “unacceptable.” Over the past two weeks, Iran has seen some of its largest and deadliest anti-regime protests in recent years, sparked by various social and political grievances.
Von der Leyen expressed support for the demonstrators, urging Iranian authorities to release those detained during the protests. She emphasized that the European Union “unequivocally condemns the violent repression” and called for respect of the protesters’ rights to free expression and assembly. The EU’s statement underscores increasing concerns over human rights developments in Iran amid the unrest.
The protests, which began weeks ago, have resulted in casualties and numerous arrests, with reports of force used by security forces to disperse crowds. While the Iranian government describes the unrest as illegal disturbances, many participants consider them a legitimate expression of grievances. The international community continues to watch the situation closely, with some countries advocating for sanctions or diplomatic pressure.