Several European countries summon Iranian ambassadors to denounce crackdown on protesters

Several European countries, including France, Spain, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland, Portugal, and Belgium, announced on Tuesday that they had summoned their ambassadors in light of the rapidly deteriorating situation in Iran where hundreds, if not thousands, are thought to have been killed in the regime's crackdown on mass demonstrations across the country.

In Ireland, the presentation ceremony for the new Iranian ambassador’s credentials was postponed.

France summoned the Iranian ambassador in Paris to denounce the "state violence that has blindly descended on peaceful protesters," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced before French lawmakers.

The crackdown on protests is “intolerable, unbearable, and inhumane,” Barrot said. “We will not stop here: there must be no impunity for those who turn their guns against peaceful protesters,” he added, referring to "swift" sanctions against Tehran promised by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel, for his part, said he was “deeply shocked by the bloody crackdown on peaceful protesters” and confirmed that the ambassador had been summoned to formally protest Iran’s response to the demonstrations.

In a statement, he cited excessive use of force against protesters, large-scale arbitrary arrests — which human rights organizations estimate surpasses 10,600 people — and widespread Internet shutdowns.

“Iran must respect fundamental rights and immediately restore access to the Internet,” van Weel said, adding that those responsible for abuses must be held accountable.

Netherlands is coordinating its response with European partners, he added, and supports EU sanctions against Iranian officials accused of human rights violations.