TEHRAN: Iran has summoned the Italian ambassador to protest “interventionist” policies, the foreign ministry said late Thursday, a day after Rome called in Tehran’s envoy over its response to nationwide protests.
The Islamic republic has been gripped by protests since the September 16 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, following her arrest in Tehran for an alleged breach of the strict dress code for women.
Iran says hundreds of people have been killed in the unrest, including members of the security forces, and thousands have been arrested nationwide.
Tehran summoned Italy’s Giuseppe Perrone to protest “the continuation of the interventionist statements and actions of some Italian officials in the internal affairs” of Iran, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
“Selective and double standard approaches regarding human rights are completely unacceptable and rejected from the perspective of the Islamic republic of Iran,” it added.
In more than 100 days of protests in the country, Iran has called in over a dozen ambassadors from Western countries including Britain, France and Germany.
But the latest move by Tehran came just a day after Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned ambassador-designate Mohammad Reza Sabouri to protest the “unacceptable” response by Iranian authorities.
“I strongly requested not to carry out any more executions, to stop the violent repression and to enter a dialogue with protesters,” Tajani tweeted on Wednesday.
“The Italian government will do everything possible to guarantee respect for human rights in Iran.”
Iran executed two people in connection to the protests earlier in December. The judiciary has said nine others have also been sentenced to death.
Tajani had previously condemned the situation in Iran as an “unacceptable shame,” saying Rome adopted a “hard line” in defense of women.
Iranian authorities accuse hostile foreign powers, mainly its arch-enemy the United States but also some European countries, of stoking what they call “riots.”
Iran summons Italian envoy in rebuke over protests
https://arab.news/v6tat
Iran summons Italian envoy in rebuke over protests
- The Islamic republic has been gripped by protests since the September 16 death in custody of Mahsa Amini
- Iran executed two people in connection to the protests earlier in December
Three more vessels hit by projectiles in Strait of Hormuz, showing merchant ships remain in firing line
- A projectile hit a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, setting it ablaze
DUBAI: Three vessels have been hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security and risk firms said on Wednesday, bringing the number of ships struck in the region since the Iran conflict began to at least 14.
Shipping along the narrow strait has come to a near standstill since the United States and Israel began strikes on Iran on February 28, preventing exports of around a fifth of the world’s oil supply and sending global oil prices surging to highs not seen since 2022.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned that any ship passing through the Strait will be targeted. US President Donald Trump has threatened to ramp up US attacks on Iran if it continues to obstruct the strait.
The Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree dry bulk vessel had been struck by “two projectiles of unknown origin” while sailing through the Strait on Wednesday, causing a fire and damaging the engine room, the ship’s Thai-listed operator Precious Shipping said in a statement.
“Three crew members are reported missing and believed to be trapped in the engine room,” Precious Shipping said.
“The company is working with the relevant authorities to rescue these three missing crew members,” it said, adding that the remaining 20 crew members had been safely evacuated and were ashore in Oman.
Images provided by the Thai navy showed smoke pouring out of the back of the ship.
The US Navy has refused near-daily requests from the shipping industry for military escorts through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war on Iran, saying the risk of attacks is too high for now, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Trump has said the US is prepared to provide naval escorts whenever needed.
TWO OTHER SHIPS SUSTAIN MINOR DAMAGE
Earlier on Wednesday, the Japan-flagged container ship ONE Majesty sustained minor damage from an unknown projectile 25 nautical miles (46 km) off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, two maritime security firms said.
Its Japanese owner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and a spokesperson for Ocean Network Express (ONE), its charterer, said that the vessel was struck while at anchor in the Gulf and inspection of the hull had revealed minor damage above the waterline.
All crew are safe, they said, adding that the vessel remains fully operational and seaworthy. The owner said the cause of the incident remained unclear and was under investigation.
A third vessel, a bulk carrier, was also hit by an unknown projectile approximately 50 miles northwest of the UAE coast, maritime security firms said.
The projectile had damaged the hull of the Marshall Islands-flagged Star Gwyneth, maritime risk management company Vanguard said, adding that the vessel’s crew were safe. Owner Star Bulk Carriers said the ship was hit in the hold area whilst anchored. There were no crew injuries and no listing.
