Guterres calls on the Iranian government to “restraint in approaching the protests”

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, asked the Iranian Government this Friday for “restraint in approaching the protests” that have been taking place in the country since mid-September, after the death of the young Kurd Mahsa Amini.

The Portuguese diplomat addressed this issue in a telephone conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, according to a statement released by the spokesman for the United Nations, Stéphane Dujarric.

During the conversation, the UN official also discussed the “implications of Iran’s arms exports” in the context of the Security Council resolution that urges the Iranian regime not to carry out activities related to ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

Guterres discussed with the Iranian minister the nuclear agreement with Iran, regional cooperation and Iran’s participation in multilateral institutions, according to the same press release.

The UN official and the Iranian official also discussed “the possibilities of a ceasefire and a political solution to the crisis in Yemen”, he added.

Iran has been rocked by a wave of protests since the death on September 16 of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurd detained by the morality police in Tehran three days before her death, for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress code by not cover yourself completely with the Islamic veil.

At least 448 protesters have been killed since the violently repressed movement began, according to Iran Human Rights (IHR).

Iran accuses the United States, its biggest enemy, and American allies of fomenting what it calls “riots”.

Earlier this week, Iranian authorities reported the deaths of more than 300 people for the first time since the demonstrations began.

Thousands of Iranians and about 40 foreigners were also detained and more than 2,000 people were indicted, according to judicial officials.