UK, France condemn Iran’s violent repression of legitimate peaceful protests

Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested by the morality police, died on Sep. 16 while in custody. (File/AFP)
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Updated 11 November 2022
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UK, France condemn Iran’s violent repression of legitimate peaceful protests

  • The UK also accused Iran of threatening the lives of UK-based journalists on Friday
  • Ministers denounced Iran’s destabilizing activities in the Middle East, including transfers of UAVs and missiles

LONDON: The UK and France condemned on Friday Iran’s violent repression of legitimate peaceful protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini.

Amini, who had been arrested by the morality police, died on Sep. 16 while in custody.

During talks held in Paris, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna also condemned Tehran for supplying Russia with drones used to indiscriminately target civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.

They denounced Iran’s destabilizing activities in and around the Middle East, including transfers of unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles, and pledged to reinforce international cooperation to counter such activities.

The ministers reiterated their clear determination that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon and their deep concerns at its insufficient cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The UK also accused Iran of threatening the lives of UK-based journalists on Friday, after a crackdown that rights groups say has left more than 300 anti-regime protesters dead in Iran itself.

“I have summoned the Iranian charge d'affaires today after journalists working in the UK were subject to immediate threats to life from Iran,” Cleverly said.


Palestinian deputy president discusses Gaza with Egyptian officials

Updated 04 January 2026
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Palestinian deputy president discusses Gaza with Egyptian officials

  • The discussion also centered on strategies for maintaining stability in the Palestinian territories

LONDON: Hussein Al-Sheikh, the deputy president of the Palestinian Authority, discussed security and diplomatic issues during separate meetings in Cairo with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati and Hassan Rashad, the Director of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service.

Al-Sheikh briefed Egyptian officials on the latest developments regarding the Palestinian issue, in the presence of Major General Majed Faraj, the head of the Palestinian General Intelligence Service.

The discussion on Sunday also centered on strategies for maintaining stability in the Palestinian territories and progressing to the second phase of US President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza, as reported by the Wafa news agency.

Officials also aimed to improve coordination and consultation to tackle the challenges facing Palestine and the wider region.

Al-Sheikh is poised to become the Palestinian president in the event of a power vacuum in the Palestinian Authority, currently led by 90-year-old Mahmoud Abbas.