Canberra: Australia, Canada and the European Union have issued a joint statement strongly condemning the killing of anti-government protesters in Iran, while praising the courage of Iranians standing up for their fundamental rights.
Anti-government demonstrations continue to erupt across Iran, with several protesters reported dead and communication blackouts imposed in parts of the country, as the unrest shows no signs of subsiding.
According to multiple media reports, at least 62 people have been killed since the protests began in December last year.
In their joint statement, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada and the European Union said: “We commend the bravery of the Iranian people as they stand up for their dignity and their fundamental right to peaceful protest. We strongly condemn the killing of protesters, the use of violence, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation tactics by the Iranian regime against its own people.”
The statement added: “Iran must immediately end the use of excessive and lethal force by its security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij, against protesters. Too many lives — over 40 to date — have already been lost.”
The ministers stressed that the Iranian regime has a responsibility to protect its citizens and must “allow for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of reprisal”.
The protests first erupted on December 28, 2025, in two markets in Tehran over rising inflation and the sharp fall in the value of the rial, before rapidly evolving into a nationwide movement.
The demonstrations reflect growing public anger towards the clerical establishment led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amid worsening economic conditions and deepening public resentment.
While Iranian state media had largely avoided reporting the death toll linked to the unrest, it broke its silence on Friday, acknowledging that there had been “casualties”, without providing further details.
US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that more than 65 people have been killed since the protests began. The organisation said the demonstrations entered their 13th day on January 9, with at least 2,311 people detained.
According to HRANA, protests have spread to 512 locations across 180 cities in all 31 provinces of Iran.
Meanwhile, Iran’s exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi on Friday appealed to US President Donald Trump for urgent intervention as the protests continued across the Islamic Republic.
“Mr President, this is an urgent and immediate call for your attention, support and action,” Pahlavi said in a social media post. “Please be prepared to intervene to help the people of Iran.”
Pahlavi has been actively using social media platforms to urge Iranians to rise up against the clerical regime under Ayatollah Khamenei.
Large crowds took to the streets on Thursday and Friday following his appeal, with protesters chanting anti-government slogans while also expressing support for Pahlavi and calling for his return to Iran.
Pahlavi’s father was Iran’s last monarch and fled the country months before the throne was overthrown during the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
With IANS inputs