European diplomats engaged in a rare confrontation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a closed-door meeting in Tehran. The gathering was intended as an opportunity for Iran to present its narrative regarding the ongoing anti-regime protests. Instead, diplomats expressed strong disapproval of Iran’s response to the protests, which have reportedly resulted in over 2,571 fatalities, according to the U.S.-based human rights organization, HRANA.
The meeting, held on Monday, included ambassadors from the European Union as well as the United Kingdom. In his opening remarks, Araghchi characterized the protesters as “rabble-rousers” and suggested they were being supported by foreign interests. However, the reaction from European diplomats was immediate and forceful. A spokesperson for France’s foreign ministry reported that the ambassadors “forcefully expressed their concerns” about what Yvette Cooper, the U.K.’s Foreign Secretary, described as the “brutal repression” of peaceful protests.
Escalating European Response
This meeting marked a significant escalation in the European response to the Iranian government’s actions against demonstrators. Reports indicate that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has been central to the crackdown, may soon be designated as a terrorist organization within the EU. This push follows a statement from EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who is expected to propose new sanctions against Iran at the upcoming meeting of European foreign ministers in Brussels on January 29, 2024.
Several EU nations, including Spain, France, Belgium, Czechia, and the Netherlands, have taken steps to express their condemnation directly by summoning Iranian ambassadors. On Tuesday, Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel summoned Iran’s ambassador to formally protest against the excessive violence, arbitrary arrests, and internet shutdowns impacting peaceful protesters.
International Reactions and Future Implications
The situation in Iran has drawn international attention, with Friedrich Merz, Germany’s Chancellor, expressing his belief that the regime led by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is nearing its end. Speaking to journalists in India, Merz remarked that “we are now witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime.” These sentiments reflect a growing consensus among Western leaders regarding the instability of the Iranian government.
In contrast to the EU’s cautious diplomatic approach, former U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly reviewing military options against Tehran. His potential actions have drawn support from Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s former shah, who has positioned himself as a possible successor to Khamenei. Pahlavi publicly encouraged Trump, stating, “Your words of solidarity have given Iranians the strength to fight for freedom.”
The Iranian government has a historical pattern of responding fiercely to protests, often leading to severe crackdowns. The last significant wave of discontent ended with public executions, provoking formal protests from EU governments at that time. As tensions escalate, the international community appears poised to take firmer action in response to Iran’s handling of dissent.
