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UK condemns Iran's violent suppression of protests
The British government has formally rebuked Iran over its lethal response to nationwide demonstrations, summoning Tehran's ambassador after reports of mass casualties and detentions.
Foreign Secretary denounces killings
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told Parliament on Tuesday that the UK "utterly condemns" the "brutal killings, violence, and repression" unfolding in Iran. She warned the death toll from the crackdown could exceed current estimates, which already number in the thousands.
Cooper confirmed she had summoned Iran's ambassador, Seyed Ali Mousavi, for a nine-minute meeting at the Foreign Office to underscore the gravity of the situation. The move followed "horrific reports" of overnight violence and a direct call with Iran's foreign minister on Monday.
Sanctions and diplomatic pressure
The UK plans to impose additional sanctions targeting Iran's finance, energy, transport, and software sectors, though specifics and timing remain undisclosed. Cooper pledged to collaborate with the EU and other allies to explore further measures.
Several European nations-including France, Germany, Spain, Finland, and Belgium-have also summoned Iranian ambassadors in recent days, amplifying international condemnation.
Protests escalate amid internet blackout
Demonstrations erupted in December over economic grievances and soaring inflation but have since evolved into broader anti-regime rallies. Iranian security forces have responded with live ammunition, mass arrests, and a near-total internet blackout, severing Iranians' connection to the outside world.
Independent verification of casualties has been hampered by restrictions on international media. Tehran has blamed foreign governments for instigating the unrest, a claim Cooper dismissed as a "manufactured narrative."
"The United Kingdom condemns in the strongest terms the horrendous and brutal killing of Iranian protesters and demands that the Iranian authorities respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of their citizens."
Yvette Cooper, UK Foreign Secretary
UK nationals detained in Iran
Cooper confirmed British officials are engaging with Iranian counterparts regarding UK citizens held in the country. On Monday, a Foreign Office minister met with the family of Craig and Lindsay Foreman, a British couple arrested in January 2025 on espionage charges during a global motorcycle trip.
A 2024 parliamentary report highlighted a "rising and unpredictable" threat from Iran, including increased physical targeting of regime opponents in the UK. Tehran's embassy in London rejected the findings at the time.
Broader tensions with Iran
The UK, alongside France and Germany, reinstated sweeping UN sanctions on Iran in October for violating nuclear agreements. Since taking office, the Labour government has imposed over 220 sanctions on Tehran.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel criticized the timing of the ambassador's summons and pressed for details on the new sanctions. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing military options after imposing a 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran.
