Kallas: Iran crackdown shows 'a regime afraid of its own people'

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the Iranian leadership's harsh crackdown on protesters "exposes a regime afraid of its own people."

"The Iranian people are fighting for their future. By ignoring their rightful demands, the regime shows its true colours," she wrote on X on Friday.

"Any violence against peaceful demonstrators is unacceptable. Shutting down the internet while violently suppressing protests exposes a regime afraid of its own people."

She accused the security forces of using "disproportionate and heavy-handed" tactics against demonstrators.

Protests over worsening economic conditions erupted on December 28 in Tehran and quickly spread to other parts of the country.