By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday said that he was “deeply saddened by the reported loss of life and injuries,” resulted from clashes between security forces and protesters, according to the UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric in New York.
According to human rights activists and news reports cited videos posted online Monday showed demonstrations in Tehran and the city of Yasuj, while demonstrations took place last week in a large majority of Iranian provinces,.
The rights groups also reported that at least 20 have been killed including 3 children and hundreds have been arrested, including minors, amid a crackdown by security forces.
US President Donald Trump said that his country would come to the “rescue” of protesters if the Iranian Government continued to authorize lethal force against them. “We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” he posted.
Iran responded by writing to the UN Secretary-General and Security Council, called on them to condemn “unlawful threats” towards Tehran.
Mr. Dujarric said the UN chief António Guterres underscored the need to prevent any further casualties during demonstrations.
“He also calls on the authorities to uphold the right of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. All individuals must be allowed to protest peacefully and express their grievances.”
Mr. Guterres emphasized the importance of all actors in Iran and the wider region “refraining from actions that could heighten tensions and contribute to instability.”
