Iran summoned the British and Norwegian ambassadors by the death of a woman detained by morality police over what it called interference and hostile media coverage of the nationwide unrest triggered.
For many who have joined the protests the label Tehran has used, which have swept the country, on internet and phones prompting a security crackdown and curbs, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian also criticized U.S. support for “rioters”.
After being arrested by police enforcing the Islamic Republic’s strict restrictions on women’s dress, demonstrations erupted more than a week ago at the funeral of a 22-year-old Kurdish woman named Mahsa Amini, who died in detention. In several years they have turned into the biggest protests.
According to sources in the cities of Tabriz, Urmia, Rasht and Hamedan Clashes continued between security forces and protesters in several northwestern regions. In districts of the capital, Tehran Activists said there were also protests.
On Sunday in a statement posted on social media, a main teachers union called for teachers and students to stage the first national strike since the unrest began, on Monday and Wednesday.
In these difficult to “stand with pupils, students and people seeking justice but hopeful days” it urged teachers, trade unions, military veterans and artists.
Because of the restrictions on communication details of casualties have trickled out slowly and partly.
After being shot by security forces The sister of a 20-year-old woman identified as Hadis Najafi told a U.S.-based activist that she had died Wednesday. On Twitter videos of Najafi had been shared showing her without hijab and protesting in Karaj, 20 miles northwest of Tehran.
Josep Borrell, European Union foreign policy chief said on protests and ensuring internet access Iran should “immediately stop the violent crackdown. “He also called for information, and an investigation into “the killing of Mahsa Amini”, on the number of people killed and arrested. 202
He has ordered an investigation into Amini’s death and that President Ebrahim Raisi has said that Iran ensures freedom of expression. With the unrest he also said that “acts of chaos” were unacceptable and that Iran must deal decisively. Pointing to deaths in U.S. police custody, at the United Nations he said extensive coverage of Amini’s case was “double standards”.
The United States was supporting ‘rioters’ and seeking to destabilize Iran, Amirabdollahian said, in the region and for a nuclear deal with Tehran, a stance he said contradicted American calls for stability.
In response to the “hostile character” of London-based Persian language media Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned Britain’s ambassador. It championed media freedom and condemned Iran’s “crackdown on protesters, journalists and internet freedom” Britain’s foreign ministry said.
Norway’s envoy was also summoned who has expressed support for the protesters to explain the “interventionist stance” of its parliament speaker Masud Gharahkhani.
To speak out Sunday, Gharahkhani, who was born in Tehran, continued writing on Twitter: “If my parents had not made the choice to flee in 1987, I would have been one of those fighting in the streets with my life on the line.”
Over issues including restrictions on personal freedoms Amini’s death has reignited anger in Iran, the strict dress codes for women and an economy reeling from sanctions.
In the protests women have played a prominent role, waving and burning their veils. Some have publicly cut their hair.
Since demonstrations over fuel prices in 2019 the protests are the largest to sweep the country, when Reuters reported 1,500 people were killed in a crackdown on protesters — the bloodiest bout of internal unrest in the Islamic Republic’s history.
To support the protesters Asghar Farhadi, Iranian Oscar-winning director called on activists and artists around the world, who he said were “looking for simple and yet fundamental rights that the state has denied them for years.”
Farhadi said in a post on Instagram “I deeply respect their struggle for freedom and the right to choose their own destiny despite all the brutality they are subjected to”.
Since the protests broke out following Amini’s death on Sept 16 Iran’s state television said 41 people have been killed. On Sunday, the semi-official Mehr news agency said that eight members of the Basij, a militia under the umbrella of the Revolutionary Guards, were among the dead.
In recent days State media said 12 bank branches were destroyed in the unrest, and 219 ATMs have been damaged.
Iranian television showed thousands of people rallying in Tehran on sunday in support of authorities and chanting slogans against the United States and opposition groups they accused of insulting the Koran.
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