United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on Iranian authorities to exercise “maximum restraint” as protests continue to intensify across the country. His appeal comes amid growing international concern over reports of violence and the alleged use of excessive force against demonstrators.
According to a statement released on Sunday, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the Secretary-General was deeply disturbed by reports indicating that clashes between security forces and protesters in multiple regions of Iran have resulted in numerous deaths. Guterres stressed that any response to public demonstrations must avoid unnecessary or disproportionate force.
The UN chief reaffirmed that all Iranians have the right to peacefully express their grievances without fear of retaliation. He emphasized that freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, which are protected under international law, must be fully respected and upheld at all times.
In addition, Guterres urged Iranian authorities to take immediate steps to restore access to information. This includes lifting communication restrictions that have left large parts of the country without internet connectivity.
London-based internet monitoring organization NetBlocks reported that Iran has experienced a nationwide internet shutdown lasting more than 72 hours, marking the fourth consecutive day of digital blackout. The outage has further limited the flow of information both within the country and to the outside world.
The protests reportedly began on December 28 at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, sparked by the sharp decline of the Iranian rial and mounting economic pressure on citizens. Since then, demonstrations have spread to several other cities, reflecting widespread frustration over economic conditions.
Anadolu Ajansi, citing the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), reported that at least 490 protesters and 48 security personnel have been killed, with more than 10,600 people arrested. Iranian authorities have not released official casualty figures.
At the heart of this unfolding situation are ordinary people seeking to be heard. Beyond political statements and statistics, these events highlight a population grappling with economic hardship, restricted communication, and a desire for dignity and peaceful expression. The global community now watches closely, hoping restraint, dialogue, and respect for human rights will prevail over further violence.
