Canberra, Jan 10 (NationPress) Australia, Canada, and the European Union have released a united statement denouncing the killings of anti-government protestors in Iran, commending the courage of Iranians who are fighting for their basic rights.

The protests against the government continue to escalate across Iran, resulting in numerous fatalities and a communication blackout in various regions of the country, as unrest persists.

According to various media outlets, at least 62 individuals have died since the protests began in December of the previous year.

The joint statement from the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, and the EU expressed, “We applaud the courage of the Iranian populace as they advocate for their dignity and their fundamental right to peaceful protest. We categorically condemn the killings of protestors, alongside the use of violence, arbitrary detentions, and intimidation by the Iranian regime against its citizens.”

“Iran must promptly halt the use of excessive and lethal force by its security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij, against protestors. Too many lives—over 40 so far—have already been lost,” they added.

The Ministers emphasized that the Iranian government has a duty to safeguard its citizens and should “facilitate freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without the threat of retaliation.”

The protests, which initially sparked on December 28, 2025, from two markets in Tehran over soaring inflation and the dramatic depreciation of the rial, have since evolved into a nationwide movement.

These demonstrations illustrate deepening discontent with the clerical regime led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amidst economic hardship and widespread public dissatisfaction.

While Iranian state media had largely refrained from discussing the death toll linked to the protests, it acknowledged on Friday that there had been “casualties,” but did not provide further specifics.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that over 65 people have died in the protests, which reached their 13th day on January 9, with at least 2,311 individuals arrested.

The report noted that protests have spread to 512 locations across 180 cities in all 31 provinces of Iran.

In the meantime, Iran’s exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi called on US President Donald Trump for urgent intervention as protests persisted throughout the Islamic Republic.

“Mr. President, this is an urgent appeal for your immediate attention, support, and action,” Pahlavi stated in a social media post. “Please be ready to intervene to assist the people of Iran.”

Pahlavi has been actively utilizing social media to encourage Iranians to rise against the regime led by Khamenei.

Significant crowds took to the streets on Thursday and Friday following his appeal.

While chanting anti-government slogans, protestors were also heard expressing support for Pahlavi and calling for his return to Iran.

Pahlavi’s father was the last monarch of the nation and fled Iran just months before the throne was overthrown during the Islamic Revolution of 1979.