Iran Calls on Foreign Visitors to Respect Law as Protests Persist

A picture obtained by AFP outside Iran, shows people gathering next to a burning motorcycle in the capital Tehran on October 8, 2022. (AFP)
A picture obtained by AFP outside Iran, shows people gathering next to a burning motorcycle in the capital Tehran on October 8, 2022. (AFP)
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Iran Calls on Foreign Visitors to Respect Law as Protests Persist

A picture obtained by AFP outside Iran, shows people gathering next to a burning motorcycle in the capital Tehran on October 8, 2022. (AFP)
A picture obtained by AFP outside Iran, shows people gathering next to a burning motorcycle in the capital Tehran on October 8, 2022. (AFP)

Foreign visitors to Iran should respect the country's laws, its foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday, as protests continue over a woman's death in police custody that Tehran has blamed on "foreign enemies".

Last month, Iran said it had arrested nine European nationals for their role in the unrest over Mahsa Amini's death.

"Iran is a safe country... We expect foreigners who visit Iran for tourism and business ... purposes to respect our laws," foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kaanani told a televised news conference.

Anti-government demonstrations that erupted on Sept. 17 at Amini's hometown of Saqez, have turned into the biggest challenge to Iran's clerical leaders in years, with many calling for the downfall of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The nationwide protests have received wide international support, prompting Tehran to lash out at its critics by accusing the United States and Israel of exploiting the unrest to try to destabilize the country.



Russia’s Lavrov: Why Would Europe Be at Ukraine Talks if They Want War to Carry On? 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (C) attends a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Marko Djuric in Moscow, Russia, 17 February 2025. (EPA)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (C) attends a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Marko Djuric in Moscow, Russia, 17 February 2025. (EPA)
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Russia’s Lavrov: Why Would Europe Be at Ukraine Talks if They Want War to Carry On? 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (C) attends a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Marko Djuric in Moscow, Russia, 17 February 2025. (EPA)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (C) attends a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Marko Djuric in Moscow, Russia, 17 February 2025. (EPA)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asked on Monday why Europe would be invited to join possible talks on a peace settlement in Ukraine if European politicians want the war to carry on.

Speaking at a news conference with his Serbian counterpart ahead of US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Lavrov said that Europe had already had several chances to be involved in a settlement on Ukraine and that he didn't know how European states would contribute if they were invited to the negotiating table given their stance on the war.

There are different views on Ukraine among European politicians, but most say they want what they call "a just and lasting peace."