BRUSSELS [Belgium], January 13 (ANI): European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in Iran, condemning the excessive use of force and ongoing restrictions on freedom.
In a post on X, von der Leyen stated, “The rising number of casualties in Iran is horrifying. I unequivocally condemn the excessive use of force and continued restriction of freedom.” She noted that the European Union has already acted under its human rights sanctions regime, listing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in its entirety, and said further measures would be proposed in coordination with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
“We stand with the people of Iran who are bravely marching for their liberty,” von der Leyen added, expressing solidarity with demonstrators continuing nationwide protests since late December.
Amid the unrest, Iran’s exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi has appealed to US President Donald Trump to act swiftly against Iran’s clerical leadership to minimize further casualties. In an interview with CBS News, Pahlavi said, “The best way to ensure that there will be less people killed in Iran is to intervene sooner, so this regime finally collapses and puts an end to all the problems that we are facing.” He described the current uprising as a full-scale revolution, distinct from prior protests, and positioned himself as a potential transitional figure supporting Iranians overseas.
Trump has indicated that he is considering options, warning that the United States would intervene if Iranian authorities continue violent crackdowns. The White House has kept all measures on the table, including airstrikes.
Meanwhile, Iran’s cyberspace authority has extended the nationwide internet restrictions imposed on January 9, citing security concerns and to counter “cognitive warfare” by adversaries. The domestic National Information Network (NIN) continues to provide essential online services, including banking and e-commerce, while access to the global internet remains limited.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 2,000 people have died in the protests, though some opposition sources claim the toll may be as high as 12,000. The United Nations rights chief, Volker Turk, condemned the violence, stating, “The killing of peaceful demonstrators must stop, and the labelling of protesters as ‘terrorists’ to justify violence against them is unacceptable.”
Iran’s Telecom Minister Sattar Hashemi confirmed that government departments will comply with security directives to maintain the internet restrictions while efforts continue to restore full access.
The ongoing unrest, triggered by economic hardship and a collapsing currency, continues to escalate, with international observers and governments monitoring the situation closely.
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