Britain, EU press Iran to end crackdown on protesters

Britain and the European Union have called on Iran to halt its campaign of repression against demonstrators, amid escalating unrest across the country.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the situation in strong terms, describing “the killings and brutal repression of peaceful protesters in Iran” as “horrifying.” According to foreign media, Cooper issued her remarks following a telephone conversation with Iran’s foreign minister. “I spoke with Foreign Minister Aragchi and told him plainly: the Iranian government must immediately end the violence, uphold fundamental rights and freedoms, and ensure the safety of British citizens,” she said.

Her comments were echoed by European Council President António Costa, who on Monday, January 12, publicly urged Iranian authorities to cease their crackdown. “The Iranian regime must stop the violent repression of its own people. We stand with the brave Iranians demanding basic rights, dignity, and freedom,” Costa wrote on X.

Protests have swept Iran since December 28, 2025, beginning at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, where demonstrations erupted over the sharp decline of the rial and worsening economic conditions. The unrest has since expanded to cities nationwide.

While the Iranian government has not released an official death toll, the US-based human rights organisation HRANA estimates that at least 544 people have been killed — including members of the security forces and protesters — and more than 1,000 injured.

According to HRANA, authorities have detained at least 10,681 people in connection with the demonstrations. The organisation reports that protest-related incidents have occurred in 585 locations across 186 cities in all 31 provinces.

By Tamilla Hasanova