G7 Denounces ‘Brutal’ Iran Protest Crackdown

 Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations during their meeting in Muenster, Germany on Friday, November 4, 2022. (AFP)
Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations during their meeting in Muenster, Germany on Friday, November 4, 2022. (AFP)
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G7 Denounces ‘Brutal’ Iran Protest Crackdown

 Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations during their meeting in Muenster, Germany on Friday, November 4, 2022. (AFP)
Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations during their meeting in Muenster, Germany on Friday, November 4, 2022. (AFP)

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations condemned on Friday Tehran’s response to a wave of protests in Iran sparked by the death of young Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini.

They threatened the Iranian regime to continue to use all available diplomatic measures to hold the authorities accountable, hinting at the possibility of imposing further sanctions as a punishment for repressing demonstrators.

“We further condemn the brutal and disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters,” the ministers said in a statement after two days of talks in the German city of Muenster.

They called on Iran to allow access to the country for relevant UN Human Rights Special Procedures mandate holders to assess the situation in the country following the repression and arbitrary arrests.

The G7 nations, which is made up of the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, urged Iranian authorities to honor their international obligations under international law.

The ministers expressed regret at the authorities’ decision to shut down the internet and social media, adding that they “advocate the right of all Iranians to access information.”

They called on the Iranian authorities to release unjustly detained prisoners, including recently arrested protesters, children, journalists and human rights defenders, and ensure accountability for perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses.

The statement called on Tehran to release dual citizens and end the “repellent practice of such unjust detentions in hopes of political gain.”

Germany's government on Thursday urged its citizens to leave Iran or risk arbitrary arrest and long prison terms there, warning that dual nationals were particularly at risk.

The two-day meeting also tackled Iran’s destabilizing activities, and the ministers condemned its continued activities in and around the Middle East.

These include Iran’s activities with both ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones, and transfers of such advanced weaponry to state and non-state actors.

“Such proliferation is destabilizing for the region and escalates already high tensions,” the statement stressed.

The ministers also reiterated their clear determination that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon.

“The G7 will continue working together, and with other international partners, to address Iran’s nuclear escalation and insufficient cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding its Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) safeguards agreement.”

They said they are “deeply concerned by the unabated expansion of Iran’s nuclear program, which has no credible civilian justification.”

They called on Iran to change course and fulfil its legal obligations and political commitments in the field of nuclear non-proliferation without further delay.

The statement also noted that despite many months of intense negotiations on a return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Iran has not made the necessary decisions.



Russia Warns of Consequences for Striking Iran’s Nuclear Facilities

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. (Reuters file)
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. (Reuters file)
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Russia Warns of Consequences for Striking Iran’s Nuclear Facilities

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. (Reuters file)
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. (Reuters file)

Moscow warned against military action targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure following US President Donald Trump’s threat to bomb the country if it fails to reach an agreement.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov criticized Trump’s threats of military force, warning that escalation would have catastrophic consequences for the entire region.

Russia opposes coercive solutions, aggression, and military strikes, Ryabkov said.

He condemned Washington’s threats against Iran as an attempt to impose its will on Tehran, cautioning that further escalation would only complicate the situation and require greater efforts in the future to contain the risks of a new conflict in the Middle East, where tensions are already at a peak.

Moscow has previously offered to mediate between Washington and Tehran. Analysts suggest Russia is seeking to strengthen its diplomatic leverage by positioning itself as a key player in resolving the nuclear standoff. Russian officials believe they can offer security guarantees to both sides, similar to those provided during the 2015 nuclear deal negotiations.

Moscow and Washington have reportedly discussed, through contacts in Saudi Arabia, the possibility of Russia facilitating dialogue on Iran. However, Trump’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric has raised concerns in Moscow.

Ilya Vaskin, a researcher at the Center for the Study of the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Central Asia at HSE University, said issuing ultimatums is a hallmark of the Trump administration’s negotiating style. According to Vaskin, Washington is trying to pressure Iran into a swift agreement and secure a new nuclear deal on its own terms.

Lev Sokolchik, a senior researcher at the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the HSE University, noted that Iran has made significant progress in its nuclear program and missile capabilities in recent years. He argued that Trump is trying to curb Iran’s military ambitions, which could threaten U. interests in the region.

Sokolchik warned that Iran could develop a nuclear weapon within months, a scenario that deeply concerns both the United States and Israel.