The UK government has summoned Iran’s ambassador to London to condemn the brutal killing of protesters during ongoing anti-government demonstrations, announcing plans for further sanctions and demanding respect for fundamental rights. This diplomatic move comes amid reports of thousands of deaths and arrests in Iran, with the foreign secretary expressing fears that the actual toll may be higher than currently known.
Protests in Iran began in December, initially driven by economic hardship and rising inflation, but have since escalated into widespread anti-regime rallies. In response, Iranian security forces have cracked down with heavy force, using live ammunition and making mass arrests, while authorities imposed a near-total internet blackout to suppress unrest and limit information flow.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper outlined the UK’s “total abhorrence” of the violence in a Commons statement, confirming that the Iranian ambassador, Seyed Ali Mousavi, was summoned to the Foreign Office. The meeting lasted just nine minutes, during which the UK’s strong objections were conveyed, and Cooper emphasized the gravity of the situation following “horrific reports” of overnight violence.
Cooper announced that the government would implement “full and further sanctions” targeting Iran’s finance, energy, transport, software, and other industries. While specific details were not provided, she stated that the UK would work with the EU and other partners to explore additional measures in response to the developments.
In a coordinated diplomatic offensive, several European countries, including France, Spain, Finland, Belgium, and Germany, have also summoned Iranian ambassadors over the crackdown. Meanwhile, the US President Donald Trump is considering military intervention and has imposed tariffs on countries doing business with Iran, adding to the international pressure on Tehran.
The Iranian authorities have accused foreign governments of fomenting the unrest and condemned “terrorist actions,” but Cooper dismissed this as a “manufactured narrative of foreign manipulation.” She stressed that the UK condemns the killings in the strongest terms and demands that Iranian authorities respect citizens’ rights and freedoms.
The UK has raised concerns about security threats from Iran, including physical threats against opponents in the UK and over 20 potentially lethal Iran-backed plots discovered in the past year. Cooper also mentioned ongoing efforts to secure the release of British nationals detained in Iran, such as Craig and Lindsay Foreman, and highlighted previous sanctions imposed on Iran. Looking ahead, the UK government is prepared to support change in Iran if it occurs, but for now, the focus is on applying economic and diplomatic pressure. The situation remains fluid, with the death toll uncertain due to the internet blackout, and international actors are closely monitoring developments for further actions.
