Geneva [Switzerland], January 12 (ANI): United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged Iranian authorities to exercise maximum restraint amid unrest in the country, stressing that the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly must be fully respected and protected.
The UN chief’s remarks come amid protests in Iran that have killed at least 420 protesters over the past 15 days, including eight children, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran, CNN reported.
In a post on X, Guterres emphasized the need to refrain from the unnecessary or disproportionate use of force while handling public demonstrations.
“Shocked by reports of violence and excessive use of force by the Iranian authorities against protesters resulting in deaths and injuries in recent days. The rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly must be fully respected and protected. I urge the Iranian authorities to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from unnecessary or disproportionate use of force,” Guterres said.
He also urged steps to enable access to information in the country, including the restoration of communications.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is closely monitoring the unfolding situation in Iran as protests demanding freedom continue to spread across the country.
Netanyahu voiced strong support for the Iranian people’s struggle against what he described as tyranny. In a post on X, he said the people of Israel and the world stand in awe of the immense bravery of Iran’s citizens.
The protests began on December 28 as demonstrations against soaring inflation and economic hardship but soon escalated into nationwide unrest, marked by violent clashes between protesters and security forces.
Demonstrations have spread across multiple cities, with authorities responding through arrests, crackdowns, and the use of force. Human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns over the scale of casualties and the treatment of protesters.
Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on rioters and foreign interference, while maintaining that legitimate economic grievances will be addressed.
Amid the unrest, US officials told CNN that President Donald Trump is weighing several military options in Iran following the deadly protests, after warning Tehran against using lethal force on demonstrators.
Iranian Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi Azad said legal action against protesters would be strict. According to Tasnim news agency, he said proceedings would be carried out without leniency, mercy, or appeasement, adding that the charges against all rioters were the same.
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