Iran has killed at least 538 people during two weeks of brutal protest suppression, prompting the UK government to intensify calls for restraint from the Tehran regime and review proscribing (banning) the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
The death toll includes 490 protesters and 48 security forces members, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Authorities have detained more than 10,000 people since the uprising began on December 28, initially triggered by the ailing economy but evolving into the most significant challenge to the regime for several years.
Iran has cut off internet and telephone lines across the country, though footage from Tehran and other Iranian cities continues to reach social media. The suppression tactics mark the deadliest crackdown the regime has unleashed in years.
UK government response
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed that the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood constantly reviews proscription decisions. She described it as a "very thorough process" and emphasized: "As a government, we keep those decisions about the proscription of organisations under constant review and I have no doubt that Shabana Mahmood is doing that at the moment."
Speaking on Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Alexander said: "The British Government has always viewed Iran as a hostile state. "We know that they pose a security threat in the Middle East and beyond and we know that they have been a repressive regime in terms of their own population. "And so I think the priority, as of today, is to try and stem the violence that is happening in Iran at the moment."
She added: "It's a concerning situation there and we would like to see anything that happens in future involving a peaceful transition where people can enjoy fundamental freedoms and we see proper democratic values back in the heart of Iran."
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper praised the protesters: "It takes real courage to speak up in an authoritarian system, especially for young women, but it should not require courage just to make your voice heard. "These are fundamental rights: free speech; peaceful assembly; and the exercise of those rights should never come with the threat of violence or reprisals."
London embassy incidents
Protesters in London have targeted Iran's embassy on consecutive days. On Saturday, a protester scaled the building to replace the Iranian flag with the pre-Islamic revolution lion and sun standard. The following day, demonstrators toppled the flagpole outside the embassy.
Protesters also gathered outside Downing Street demanding the IRGC's proscription.
Parliamentary figures including Labour peer Lord Spellar and former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith have voiced support for banning the organization.
International tensions
Iran summoned UK Ambassador Hugo Shorter over the incidents, though the Foreign Office rejected Tehran's characterization, stating he merely "had a meeting" at the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch indicated potential support for international action against the Iranian regime. Speaking on BBC One's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, she referenced recent Royal Air Force (RAF) operations: "You've seen the recent RAF strikes, for instance, in Syria. "Without over-speculating – we are talking about hypothetical situations – we have worked in alliance with other countries. "I think this has to be something that we do with a broad coalition of countries. "That is the right way to do it, and to make sure that we create a stable Iran. "The worst possible thing would be for this to escalate to a point where the situation gets worse, not better."
Iran has warned it would target US troops and Israel if President Donald Trump executes military action threats against the regime led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
