The head of European diplomacy on Friday condemned the “harsh” response of the Iranian authorities to the protests, while Brussels demands that Internet access be restored in the country.
“The Iranian people are fighting for their future. By ignoring their legitimate demands, the regime is showing its true colors,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas wrote on Platform X.
“Images from Tehran reveal a disproportionate and harsh response by the security forces. Any violence against peaceful demonstrators is unacceptable. Shutting down the Internet while violently suppressing protests reveals a regime that is afraid of its own people,” wrote Kallas.
Earlier, the EU spokesperson called on the authorities to “support the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and to restore internet access to all.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei insisted on Friday that the Islamic Republic’s authorities “will not relent” in the face of protests after the biggest rallies so far in a nearly two-week movement fueled by anger over the rising cost of living.
Internet monitor Netblocks said authorities had imposed a complete blackout, adding on Friday morning that the country was “now offline for 12 hours in an attempt to quell widespread protests”. reports AFP.
