Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
The UK government has taken the step of summoning the Iranian ambassador in response to reports of severe violence against protesters in Iran. Thousands are believed to have been killed or detained following a harsh crackdown on anti-government demonstrations across the country in recent days. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed the government’s deep condemnation of these events, describing the killings and repression as “brutal” and expressing concern that the actual death toll might be far higher than current figures suggest.
In a statement made in the House of Commons, Cooper emphasized the UK’s strong disapproval of the ongoing violence and announced that the government intends to introduce additional sanctions aimed at critical sectors of Iran’s economy, including finance, energy, transport, and software industries. However, specific details regarding the nature and timing of these new sanctions have not yet been disclosed by the Foreign Office. The meeting between Cooper and Iran’s ambassador Seyed Ali Mousavi reportedly lasted only nine minutes.
Cooper also noted that the UK would coordinate with the European Union and other international partners to consider further measures in light of recent developments. She revealed that she personally spoke with the Iranian foreign minister to convey the UK’s objections to the crackdown. The decision to summon the ambassador came amid “horrific reports” of violence, underlining the severity of the situation. Several European nations, including France, Spain, Finland, Belgium, and Germany, have similarly summoned Iranian diplomats as part of a coordinated diplomatic response.
Since the protests began in December, initially prompted by economic difficulties and rising inflation, the demonstrations have evolved into broader anti-regime protests. Iran’s security forces have responded with live ammunition and mass arrests, and the government has enforced an almost complete internet blackout to curb the unrest. This blackout has severely limited access to information, making independent verification of casualty figures challenging. Iranian authorities have accused foreign governments of instigating the protests, labeling the actions as “terrorist,” a narrative dismissed by Cooper as “manufactured” to deflect blame. She strongly condemned the killings and demanded respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, while also revealing ongoing engagement with Iranian officials regarding British nationals detained in Iran, including the case of Craig and Lindsay Foreman, arrested last year on charges of espionage
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.