US condemns death sentence for Iranian soldier who refused to fire 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.

The president of the European Parliament said lawmakers had voted to back the aspirations of the Iranian people and called for what she described as decisive action against Iran’s authorities.

Roberta Metsola said in a post on X that the message from the European Parliament was clear: “Iran must be free. Iran will be free.”

She said the parliament had voted to support measures including an end to the brutal crackdown on protesters, a halt to executions and the release of detained demonstrators and political prisoners.

“We have called for decisive action to stop the violence, halt executions, free the brave and target the oppressors,” Metsola wrote.

She added that the parliament had urged the designation of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization.

Addressing Iranians, Metsola wrote: “Even when cables are cut, we hear you. Even when blackouts fall, we see you. You are not alone.”

A Brisbane Magistrates Court heard on Thursday that Sepehr Saryazdi, 24, discussed leading “riots” on January 26 in online messages and urged others to stockpile alcohol bottles to make incendiary devices.

Prosecutors said he had bought bottles of alcohol and other materials earlier this month, and told the court his comments in a private Facebook Messenger group were “extremely concerning”.

The court heard Saryazdi believed the Australian government was becoming tyrannical and wanted to replace it with what he described as a “cybernetics” system in which society would be guided by artificial intelligence and data analysis. Prosecutors said he expected to die during the alleged attack, and had encouraged group members to learn how to shoot.

His lawyer said Saryazdi had become isolated after moving to Brisbane and was emotionally overwhelmed, arguing he never intended to hurt anyone and sought national attention for his grievances.

Magistrate Penelope Hay denied bail and remanded him in custody. He is due back in court on February 20.

US President Donald Trump said Iran wanted to hold talks with Washington, signalling openness to diplomacy amid heightened tensions.

“Iran does want to talk, and we’ll talk,” Trump said on Thursday as he took part part in a charter announcement for his Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts, alongside the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland.

“In another great victory for the ultimate goal of peace in June, we obliterated Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity,” Trump said, referring to what he called “Operation Midnight Hammer.”

“It was midnight. It was dark, no moon, and every single one of those bombs from the B2 bombers hit the air shafts and went deep into the earth and totally obliterated everything that they were doing,” he said.

Trump added: “They were two months away from having a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen.”

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.”