Governments around the world have reacted sharply differently to the protests that have swept Iran since late December and to US President Donald Trump’s threat of possible military action against Tehran.
Iranian officials have acknowledged public grievances over economic hardship but have sought to distinguish between peaceful demonstrators and what they describe as rioters backed by foreign powers. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran was not seeking war but was “prepared for all options” after Trump warned of possible US action.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday that 109 members of the security forces had been killed in the unrest. Authorities have not released official figures for civilian deaths, while opposition groups based outside Iran say hundreds of protesters have been killed.
United States
Trump has repeatedly warned Iran’s leaders against using lethal force on demonstrators and said Washington was weighing military options.
“The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One late on Sunday.
Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised what he called the “heroism” of Iranian protesters, while Israel’s military said the unrest was an internal Iranian matter but added it was prepared to respond if required.
United Kingdom and Europe
Britain has not ruled out supporting military action. A government minister said all options remained under consideration, while opposition figures said intervention could be justified if violence escalated.
The European Union said it was ready to propose additional sanctions over Iran’s handling of the protests. Britain, France and Germany issued a joint statement last week condemning the killing of protesters.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Iran’s leadership risked collapse if it relied solely on violence to remain in power.
Japan
Japan’s foreign minister urged an immediate end to violence and called for a swift resolution to the crisis.
China and Russia
China opposed what it called external interference in Iran’s internal affairs, saying national sovereignty must be respected.
Russia’s Security Council secretary Sergei Shoigu condemned what he described as attempts by foreign powers to interfere in Iran, according to Russian officials.
Turkey
Turkey’s foreign minister said the protests had been manipulated by Iran’s rivals abroad, alleging involvement by Israel’s intelligence services.
United Nations
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “shocked” by reports of violence against protesters and urged Iranian authorities to exercise restraint, stressing that Iranians must be able to express grievances peacefully and without fear.
