According to von der Leyen, the streets of Tehran and other cities around the world reflect the calls of Iranian men and women demanding freedom of speech, assembly, movement, and, most importantly, the right to live freely. She also called for the immediate release of all detained protest participants, the restoration of internet access, and the respect for fundamental human rights.
Mass protests in Iran began on December 28, 2025, when shop owners at the main bazaar in Tehran closed their businesses in protest against the deteriorating economic situation. Soon, protests spread to other major cities in the country.
At the end of December, clashes between protesters and police began, with the use of tear gas becoming commonplace. The protests quickly took on a political tone, and slogans began to include calls against the country's spiritual leader, Ali Khamenei.
As tensions escalated, the protests turned into riots. According to Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani, more than 50 banks, several government buildings, and over 30 mosques were set on fire on the night of January 9.
In response to the events, authorities increased control on the streets and restricted internet access. The human rights agency HRANA reported that as of January 9, at least 65 people had died during the protests, including 50 demonstrators and 15 security personnel, while more than 2,300 people had been detained.
The peak of the violence occurred on the evening of January 8, when, according to available data, at least 11 civilians, including a child, and several law enforcement officials, including the prosecutor of the city of Esfarayen, were killed.
Ali Khamenei previously characterized the protest participants as "instigators," claiming that they "harm the country."
