Brussels / Tehran, January 10, 2026 – The European Union Council on Friday issued a strong statement condemning the “use of violence, arbitrary detention, and intimidation tactics” by Iranian security forces against demonstrators amid the ongoing nationwide protests that have gripped the country since late December 2025.
In a declaration posted on its official website, the EU expressed solidarity with the Iranian people, stating: “The EU expresses its solidarity with the Iranian people as they voice their legitimate aspiration for a better life, freedom and dignity.” The Council highlighted deep concern over reported casualties and urged Iranian authorities to adhere to international obligations, including full respect for freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
The statement further demanded the “immediate release” of all individuals “unjustly detained for exercising their fundamental rights” and called for the restoration of internet access for all citizens, emphasizing that “ensuring the right of access to information, including by restoring access to the internet for all,” is essential.
The EU's position comes as Iran remains under a near-total nationwide internet blackout, now exceeding 36 hours as of January 10, according to the independent monitoring group NetBlocks. The shutdown began on January 8, 2026, around 8:30 p.m. local time, severely restricting communication, video sharing, and the flow of information from protest sites. NetBlocks described the measure as part of “a series of escalating digital censorship measures targeting protests,” a tactic Iranian authorities have used in previous waves of unrest to limit visibility of repression and coordination among demonstrators.
The protests, which erupted on December 28, 2025, initially centered on Tehran’s historic Grand Bazaar, where merchants shut down operations in anger over the rapid collapse of the Iranian rial currency. The rial had fallen to record lows—reaching levels around 1.4–1.7 million rials per U.S. dollar—driving inflation well above 40–48% and causing sharp spikes in the cost of food, fuel, and essential goods. Economic hardship, compounded by long-standing sanctions, mismanagement, and post-war recovery challenges following the 12-day conflict with Israel in 2025, quickly fueled broader discontent.
Demonstrations rapidly spread to more than 100 cities and towns across all 31 provinces, including major urban centers such as Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad, Tabriz, Kermanshah, and Ahvaz, as well as smaller locales like Abdanan and Ilam. Protesters have blocked roads, set fires to regime symbols, banks, and government buildings, and chanted slogans demanding an end to the Islamic Republic, with some explicitly supporting exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.
Human rights organizations have documented significant casualties amid the security forces' response. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported at least 42 deaths (including protesters and some security personnel), dozens injured, and 2,277 arrests as of January 9. Earlier tallies from Iran Human Rights (Norway-based) cited 45 protester deaths, including eight minors, and hundreds wounded. Security forces have been accused of using live ammunition, tear gas, batons, and hospital raids to detain the injured.
In a particularly notable development, media reports citing Iran's Fars News Agency (affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and shared by Al Jazeera on X (formerly Twitter) indicated that eight members of the IRGC were killed during Thursday’s protests in the western city of Kermanshah. This marked a rare public acknowledgment of security force fatalities, though the regime has not officially confirmed the figure in a comprehensive casualty update.
Iranian authorities have not released official death tolls and have accused protesters of being “saboteurs” and “rioters” influenced by the United States and Israel. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the demonstrations as attempts to “please” foreign powers, while security officials warned of “no tolerance” and threatened severe punishment, including potential death penalty charges for those deemed to incite unrest.
The EU Council’s statement aligns with broader international concern, including separate condemnations from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, which “strongly condemned” the killing of protesters and urged restraint. The UN human rights chief expressed being “deeply disturbed” by reports of deaths and internet shutdowns.
As the blackout persists and protests continue despite heavy repression, the EU’s call for dialogue, restraint, and respect for fundamental rights underscores growing international pressure on Tehran to de-escalate and address the root causes of public anger—economic collapse, corruption, and political repression.
