Iran: Italy PM Meloni says crackdown on protesters unacceptable and intolerable

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has sharply criticized the crackdown by the Islamic Republic on the demonstrators in the ongoing protests. Meloni warned that more action could be taken by Italy and its allies to exert pressure on Tehran to end the crackdown.

During an end-of-the-year press conference on Thursday, Meloni criticized Iranian authorities for their crackdown on protesters. Meloni also warned that Italy and its allies would have to take more action against the Islamic Republic should the crackdown continue.

“What is happening today in Iran is unacceptable for us, Italy can no longer tolerate it,” said Meloni, adding that unless Tehran changes its stance, Italy will be consulting with its allies to discuss more effective action to be taken against the Islamic Republic.

Meloni’s criticism follows that of foreign minister Antonio Tajani, who summoned the Iranian ambassador on Wednesday, telling them to stop the executions of those convicted on protest-related charges and instead start a dialogue with protesters.

The condemnation by Rome comes as protests in Iran have continued to take place since erupting in September following the death of Kurdish-Iranian woman Mahsa Amini. Amini died in the custody of the morality police, which detained her for allegedly flouting the Islamic Republic’s imposed dress code on women. The ongoing protests mark the biggest show of opposition to the clerical regime since the 1979 Revolution.

Tehran has also sought to blame its foreign adversaries, such as the United States and Israel, for fomenting the protests. Two people have already been executed on protest-related charges.

Tajani said the death sentences against people who take part in protests and against women who refuse to wear headscarves were a very disproportionate and unacceptable form of punishment.

“Taking off a veil or participating in a protest is not a crime that can lead to the death penalty anywhere in the world,” said Tajani.

Human rights group HRANA said around 18,500 people have been arrested during the protests. Iranian government officials said most of the people arrested have been released so far. The rights group also said that as of December 25, 507 protesters have been killed in the crackdown. Among them are 69 minors and 66 members of the security forces.