Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: The sustained nationwide protests that have gripped Iran since late December have divided global opinion, with some governments raising concern about what they fear are foreign, instigated riots, while others have accused Iran’s leaders of responding violently to those protesting.
President Donald Trump has warned Iran’s leaders against using lethal force against demonstrators and has repeatedly said the US is considering military action.
On January 14, Trump said the US will take “very strong action” against Iran if it executes protesters.
Qatar is trying to mediate the rising tensions and threats of war between the US and Iran.
“There are expectations that the current tension will lead to an escalation in the region, and we are trying to de-escalate the situation,” Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said.
China has opposed external “interference in other countries’ internal affairs”.
Its Foreign Ministry spokesperson said “the sovereignty and security of all nations should be fully protected by international law.”
Sergei Shoigu, secretary of Russia’s Security Council and former defence minister, condemned “the latest attempt by foreign forces to interfere in Iran’s internal affairs”.
However, Iran’s most hostile regional foe, Israel, has strongly backed the demonstrators, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commending the “tremendous heroism of the citizens of Iran”.
European Union foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, said the 27-member bloc was “discussing putting additional sanctions” against Iran.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he is “shocked” by reports of violence against protesters in Iran and called on the government to show restraint.