The Iranian regime has promised to restore internet access soon, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtchi announced following days of mass protests and political unrest. But this will come as little relief to human rights organisations, who fear that hundreds, if not over a thousand, protesters have been killed by Iranian forces. Concerning reports have emerged of an alleged massacre.
According to various NGOs, including Norway-based group Hengaw, around 2,600 protesters have been arrested in recent days. Footage circulating online appears to show dozens of bodies dumped in a hall south of Tehran. Hengaw has announced that it is working to verify the authenticity of the footage, which it considers potential evidence of a serious crime.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtchi has dismissed reports of unrest, stating that the situation in the country is “completely under control”. Speaking to Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera, Araghtchi blamed the recent violence on US President Donald Trump, alleging that threats of military intervention encouraged so-called “terrorists” to provoke clashes with both demonstrators and security forces.
The situation on the ground, however, appears far more volatile. Unlike in previous uprisings, experts note that many of those participating in the current protests are not activists but businesspeople. These demonstrators, they explain, come from Iran’s conservative and religious core who are typically aligned with the regime. Their anger, they say, stems from soaring inflation and what they perceive as the government’s continued economic mismanagement.
According to US President Trump, Iran stands ready for negotiations. Washington and Tehran are in talks for a meeting. Trumps spokesperson said from Air Force One after speakiong of undertake drastic actions which are being considered, including military intervention.
Prime Minister Luc Frieden has said : “We (the Luxembourgish government) don’t believe that military interventions are helpful, whether in Iran or elsewhere, but of course we must support those who want to bring democracy to Iran. And I think Europe should also discuss this with its partners around the world. Europe is the guarantor and the representative of those values.”
In her recent comments on the situation, EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas has not ruled out renewed sanctions against Iran.
The situation in Iran has not gone unnoticed by Luxembourg’s deputies. From the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) to the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR), politicians are voicing support for the protesters, starting with LSAP MP Liz Braz: “It is, of course, dramatic what happened this weekend in Iran, above all because we know with what brutality the regime acts against demonstrators. On the other hand, however, it is a sign that the population is standing up to a government that tramples on human rights”.
The new faction leader of the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV), Laurent Zeimet, agrees: “We hope that the regime has finally understood that its time is up. It should make way for a democratic Iran. There shouldn’t have to be any more deaths”.
The leader of the Democratic Party (DP) faction, Gilles Baum, is optimistic, calling it an uprising (EDIT would double check sensitive) that may lead to the end of a regime that has been oppressing the Iranian people for almost 50 years.
ADR faction president Fred Keup adds that only Iranians should be able to decide what they want in their country, but hopes for an end to the current Islamist regime.
However, how things will continue in Iran remains uncertain. The current regime continues to resort to brutal methods to suppress the protests. According to experts, foreign intervention would be required to overthrow it. Meanwhile, some voices are calling for the return of a monarchy. Reza Pahlavi, son of the last Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, has sent his support for the demonstrators from his home in the United States.
