A joint statement from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has delivered a stark rebuke to the Iranian regime, urging restraint and an end to violence against protestors. The leaders expressed “deep concern” over reports of escalating violence perpetrated by Iranian security forces and condemned the deaths of demonstrators. The statement emphasizes Tehran’s responsibility to protect its citizenry and to uphold fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, without fear of reprisal.
The protests, which began in late December, persist despite a government crackdown and increasingly strained communication lines. While Iranian state media have begun reporting on the events, their coverage is heavily laced with accusations directed at Israel and the United States, strategically deflecting blame from internal grievances. State-run Press TV reported the apprehension of purported foreign agents and the dismantling of “armed terrorist cells” alleging their involvement in unrest resulting in police fatalities. This narrative directly clashes with accounts from human rights organizations and independent observers.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has further characterized the protestors as a “gang of vandals” attempting to appease former U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously issued threats of forceful intervention should Iranian security forces harm demonstrators. This inflammatory rhetoric underscores the regime’s attempts to portray the protests as externally orchestrated and to delegitimize the grievances of its own population.
The German Foreign Ministry confirmed that while internet and telephone connectivity have been intermittently disrupted across various regions, the German Embassy in Tehran remains accessible. The Ministry is actively monitoring the situation, with a dedicated crisis team convened to assess and manage the evolving circumstances.
The protests were initially triggered by the collapse of the Iranian currency, triggering widespread economic frustration. They have since broadened to encompass numerous cities, fueled by deep-seated discontent over political and social restrictions. The limited access to independent reporting from within Iran complicates a full understanding of the scale and nature of the demonstrations, but the joint statement from Western leaders sends a clear signal of international scrutiny and condemnation of the regime’s response. The situation raises serious questions about the future stability of Iran and the potential for further escalation if fundamental rights are not respected.