On January 12, it became known that the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the ambassadors of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany for a meeting. This decision was made in response to the open expression of support for the protests against the government organized by these countries. This was reported by the Iranian state news agency Tasnim.
On the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the administration is considering a number of "very tough" measures against Iran, given the situation with the suppression of protests in the country. When asked whether Iran had crossed a previously established "red line" regarding the killing of protesters, Trump replied, "It seems they are starting to do that."
Additionally, the European Parliament imposed a ban on the presence of Iranian diplomats on its territory in response to the suppression of protests. As stated in a letter from the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, this ban applies to all buildings of the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg, as well as its secretariat in Luxembourg. Iranian citizens visiting the European Parliament will have to undergo special checks. If their names appear on a list of individuals associated with the regime in Tehran, they will be denied access.
Metsola emphasized in her address to the members of the European Parliament that "the people of Iran can continue to count on the support and solidarity of this Parliament."
The protests, which began on December 28, 2025, have spread to more than 60 cities in 25 provinces of Iran. Initially triggered by a financial crisis and the devaluation of the local currency, the demands of the protesters soon took on a political character. The largest protests occurred in Tehran, as well as in the cities of Malekshahi, Kermanshah, and Lordegan in the west and southwest of the country. In response to the protests, the authorities began to suppress them; however, reliable information about the situation is lacking, as the internet in Iran has been shut down for several days.
According to human rights activists, the number of fatalities during the protests exceeds 600 people.
