Iran: 14 foreign nationals arrested for participation in protests

Security forces in Iran arrested and detained 14 foreign nationals for participating in the ongoing protests. The protests, which have been going on for weeks, sparked following the death of a young woman in the custody of Iran’s Morality Police.

Iran’s semi-official news outlet Fars reported Wednesday that 14 foreigners were arrested by security forces for taking part in the anti-government protests that have been taking place throughout the country. Among those foreign nationals that were arrested were American, British, and French, as Tehran seeks to blame other countries for the unrest.

“Citizens of 14 countries, including the United States, Russia, Austria, France, the United Kingdom, and Afghanistan, have been arrested in the recent riots in Iran, of which Afghan nationals are the most numerous,” reported the outlet, which is believed to be affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The report did not cite when the arrests were made as well as where the foreigners were reportedly arrested.

It also remains to be seen whether the reported arrests included nine foreign nationals who were detained last month for their involvement in the protests.

The nationwide protests were sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini back in September. Amini died three days after her detainment, sparking public outrage and calls for the fall of the Islamic Republic. The ongoing protests marked the boldest challenges to the country’s clerical rulers since the 1979 revolution.

Tehran’s crackdown on the protests has also sparked international condemnation and sanctions.

Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly pledged to support the “incredibly brave women of Iran” during a meeting with her female counterparts in the world as they discussed the crackdown by security forces on the demonstrators.

“No longer will they tolerate the regime’s vision of the role of women in society or how women should dress and behave. In them, we see our humanity. We have a moral obligation to support them,” said Joly

The ministers are set to discuss the ongoing unrest and Joly said their meeting will show “solidarity for Iranian women and tells the Iranian regime that the world is watching.” The ministers are also set to hear from women with Iranian heritage and will discuss ways to support Iranians.