German‑Iranian human rights activist Mariam Claren has been deeply disappointed with Germany, Europe and the United States in light of the massive wave of killings in Iran over the past week.
The messages that are trickling in from Iran have turned the worst fears into reality. “The voices from Iran say unequivocally: it is far worse than you think” said the daughter of German‑Iranian architect Nahid Taghavi-who spent four years in Tehran’s Evin prison-according to the Sunday editions of the Funke Media Group newspapers.
Over the past few days she has received direct reports of war‑like conditions and indiscriminate shootings on the streets and in front of homes. “They go from house to house, arresting everyone who participated. In one case they didn’t arrest but shot at the front door” Claren reported quoting a contact in Iran. The people do not dare leave their homes; the streets feel militarised and the war‑like atmosphere is pervasive. “We’re afraid of being shot while shopping” one source explained.
Given this situation, the silence of the international community is especially disheartening. The comment made by U.S. President Donald Trump amid the protests-“Help is on the way”-is irresponsible. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s statement that the regime is doomed to end is a hollow phrase. It is also incomprehensible that Italy, France and Spain are blocking an EU terrorist list that designates the Islamic Revolutionary Guard-a key driver of Iran’s brutal repression.
Reports that U.S. warships are en route have heightened the alarm. “Has anyone considered what this cat‑and‑mouse game does to the Iranian people? We do not know what the near future holds or which geopolitical interests will dominate, but one thing is clear: nobody cares about the Iranian people and their right to freedom”.