Germany says Iran’s crackdown on protests is ‘unacceptable’

BERLIN (AA) – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday heavily criticized the Iranian regime over its security crackdown on protesters.

“What the Iranian government is doing is unacceptable and irresponsible,” Scholz told reporters in Brussels, where EU leaders gathered for a summit meeting.

“Who shoots at their own people? – The Iranian government is doing that,” he said.

Scholz said the EU member states adopted a clear position and will continue their united stance against Iranian regime’s violent crackdown on peaceful protesters.

The EU has adopted a series of sanctions against Iran since October, targeting Iranian officials and entities responsible for the violent response to the recent demonstrations in the country.

Iran has been rocked by sweeping protests since the death of 22-year-old Iranian woman Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police in September.

At least 494 people have been killed in the demonstrations amid a heavy-handed security crackdown, according to human rights groups. More than 18,000 people have been detained by authorities.