The , US, UK and France condemned on Friday Iran’s violent repression of legitimate peaceful protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini.
Amini, who had been arrested by the morality police, died on Sep. 16 while in custody.
During talks held in Paris, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna also condemned Tehran for supplying Russia with drones used to indiscriminately target civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.
They denounced Iran’s destabilizing activities in and around the Middle East, including transfers of unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles, and pledged to reinforce international cooperation to counter such activities.
The ministers reiterated their clear determination that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon and their deep concerns at its insufficient cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The UK also accused Iran of threatening the lives of UK-based journalists on Friday, after a crackdown that rights groups say has left more than 300 anti-regime protesters dead in Iran itself.
“I have summoned the Iranian charge d'affaires today after journalists working in the UK were subject to immediate threats to life from Iran,” Cleverly said.
US president Joe Biden says," I remain gravely concerned about reports of the intensifying violent crackdown on peaceful protestors in Iran, including students and women, who are demanding their equal rights and basic human dignity. They are calling for just and universal principles, which underpin the UN Charter and Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For decades, Iran’s regime has denied fundamental freedoms to its people and suppressed the aspirations of successive generations through intimidation, coercion, and violence. The United States stands with Iranian women and all the citizens of Iran who are inspiring the world with their bravery.
The United States is making it easier for Iranians to access the Internet, including through facilitating greater access to secure, outside platforms and services. The United States is also holding accountable Iranian officials and entities, such as the Morality Police, that are responsible for employing violence to suppress civil society. This week, the United States will be imposing further costs on perpetrators of violence against peaceful protestors. We will continue holding Iranian officials accountable and supporting the rights of Iranians to protest freely.