European Parliament condemns Iran’s crackdown on protesters
The European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning Iran’s violent repression of protesters, calling for an end to executions, the release of detainees and accountability for what it described as crimes by the authorities.
In the resolution, lawmakers said they stood “in full solidarity with the people of Iran and their brave and legitimate protest movement.”
Parliament said it “unconditionally demands that the Iranian authorities… immediately end violence against peaceful protesters, halt all executions, and cease the murder and repression of civilians.”
Lawmakers said they were alarmed by what they described as a shift in how Iran suppresses dissent.
“The murder of thousands of protesters signals a chilling shift… from deterrence to strategic elimination,” the resolution said.
The European Parliament also called for the designation of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation and urged an expansion of EU sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans.
It condemned what it called efforts by Iranian authorities to censor protests through internet shutdowns and urged the EU to boost support for tools that bypass censorship.
Addressing Iranians, the resolution said: “Even when cables are cut, we hear you. Even when blackouts fall, we see you. You are not alone.”
The parliament said any normalisation of relations with Iran should be conditional on the release of political prisoners and progress toward democracy and the rule of law.
A senior Iranian military commander warned that any attack on Iran would draw a swift and devastating response, saying US interests, bases and what he described as centers of influence would become targets.
Major General Abdollahi, commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said any strike on Iranian territory, security or interests would be met with immediate retaliation, according to state-linked media.
“Any aggression against Iranian soil will be met with a fast, precise and devastating response,” he was quoted as saying.
He said the United States was fully aware of the consequences of any such move.
“Any attack on the land, security and interests of the Iranian nation will immediately turn all US interests, bases and centers of influence into legitimate and accessible targets for Iran’s armed forces,” he said.
Abdollahi added that Iran would not start a war but would respond forcefully if attacked.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has never been and will never be the initiator of war,” he said. “But in the face of any aggression, threat or hostile act, it will give a fast, decisive and regret-inducing response.”
