The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, has decided to ban Iranian diplomats and officials from entering all European Parliament premises in Brussels, Luxembourg, and Strasbourg, citing the Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown on protesters.
In a letter addressed to Members of the European Parliament, Metsola announced that the ban applies to all Iranian diplomats, diplomatic mission staff, government officials, and representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“Those who are courageously fighting in the streets, as well as political prisoners who remain in detention, deserve more than mere solidarity,” Metsola wrote.
She further emphasized on social media that “business as usual cannot continue.”
“This House will not participate in legitimizing a regime that sustains itself through torture, repression, and killings,” the European Parliament President stated.
Escalating Repression Amid Nationwide Protests
Anti-government protests have been ongoing across Iran since late December, as authorities have intensified repressive measures and the number of reported deaths continues to rise.
Human rights organizations and state media have reported widespread protests, arrests, and violence in dozens of cities, with demonstrations now entering their third consecutive week despite increased pressure from security forces.
The unrest, fueled by rising prices, high inflation, and the sharp devaluation of Iran’s national currency, represents one of the most serious challenges to the Islamic Republic’s leadership in recent years.
Reports of Lethal Force and Extrajudicial Killings
A video shared on social media on January 11 reportedly shows dozens of bodies outside the Kahrizak Forensic Medical Center in Tehran, as deadly protests continue nationwide.
Investigations by Radio Farda (RFE/RL’s Iranian service) indicate that Iranian military and security forces have fired on civilians during demonstrations, with additional reports pointing to extrajudicial killings.
