G7 Condemns Iran's Crackdown on Protests, Threatens Sanctions
In a significant escalation of international tensions, foreign ministers from G7 countries have voiced their strong condemnation of the violent suppression of protesters in Iran, indicating their readiness to impose further sanctions should Tehran continue its crackdown.
This statement was issued in a joint communiqué led by France, the current president of the group.
The communiqué expressed grave concern regarding the high number of casualties and injuries, firmly denouncing the deliberate use of violence, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation tactics employed by security forces against demonstrators.
In this context, the United States has begun the evacuation of an unspecified number of non-essential personnel from Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, amid rising tensions with Iran.
The New York Times reported that U.S. officials stated that the Pentagon has started relocating certain assets due to heightened tensions stemming from the Iranian government's crackdown on protesters, while the Biden administration is considering potential military options.
Domestically, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has claimed that the country is facing a "complex war and increasing pressures," emphasizing the need to gain the satisfaction and trust of citizens to mitigate these challenges.
During a cabinet meeting, he urged all government institutions to enhance their efforts through proactive planning, preventive measures, and diverse solutions to lessen the adverse impacts on citizens across various sectors.
He also highlighted that addressing living conditions and service issues must be a top priority in light of both internal and external challenges.
These developments occur at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East between Iran, the United States, and other nations, with global attention focused on the protests and their implications for regional and international stability.
