Protests against the Iranian government are growing by the day. This escalating unrest has been accompanied by increasing violence and a tragic loss of life. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that the cycle of horrific violence in the country cannot persist. Almost 2,000 civilians and security forces have been killed in the demonstrations and subsequent crackdown. The Iranian regime is feeling pressure from both its people and the international community more than ever.
These protests erupted particularly after the Iranian currency, the rial, wholesale collapsed in value on December 28. Today, they’ve grown to at least 186 cities in all 31 provinces. Per the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights, at least 648 protesters have been killed by authorities. This dismal price is the result of an unceasing crackdown. The Iranian government’s answer has been a violent crackdown on protesters, including mass arrests and internet blackouts. According to reports, the internet shutdown has now passed 108 hours.
The US virtual embassy in Iran is starting an effort to combat the rising violence. They continue to strongly advise American citizens to depart the country as soon as possible and advise U.S. Australian officials seem to have some sympathy for this concern. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has warned Australian citizens in Iran to depart immediately, as the conflict between Washington and Tehran escalates. Wong stated, “Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against an oppressive regime,” and condemned the Iranian government’s brutal actions.
In a bid to stifle dissent, authorities have shut down or limited mobile and landline networks as well as national internet infrastructure. Volker Türk went on to express deep concern about recent inflammatory public communications from judicial authorities. These declarations imply that protesters may be subject to death sentences via accelerated judicial processes. He asserted, “The killing of peaceful demonstrators must stop, and the labelling of protesters as ‘terrorists’ to justify violence against them is unacceptable.”
Even German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who usually does the crisis in with strong words. He recently announced that the Iranian regime was nearing its “final days and weeks.” He observed that the only way a regime can stay in power is through coercion, then it’s really just at its end. Her speech signals an increasing alarm among global leaders. In their view, the Iranian regime may be already passing through a major tipping point.
The United States has already taken a hard line against Iran. In fact, President Donald Trump has said any country that conducts business with Iran will be subjected to a stiff 25% tariff. This step is intended to further squeeze the Iranian economy and increase pressure on its leadership during a time of national upheaval and civil unrest.
As protests spread from city to city across Iran, thousands of other people have suffered injuries since the start of the ongoing demonstrations. So the international community is watching with great interest and high hopes as world leaders denounce the Iranian regime’s violent suppression of dissent. The violence of recent days has understandably sparked protests and cries for accountability, transparency and justice for those who have fallen victim to the regime’s violence.