Iran Protests Australian Sanctions Over Human Rights
Iran has summoned Australia’s envoy to the Middle East, expressing its strong objections to the recent sanctions imposed on the country. These sanctions, according to Canberra, are in response to alleged human rights violations. This development was reported by Iranian state media on Thursday.
The report indicates that Australia’s chargé d’affaires was called in by Iran’s foreign ministry. The reason cited was Australia’s “interventionist remarks” and the new sanctions targeting four Iranian nationals.
This incident comes at a time when Iranians are commemorating the first anniversary of nationwide protests against the compulsory headscarf law in the country. These protests began following the unfortunate death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on September 16, who was reportedly detained by Iran’s morality police over her headscarf, or hijab.
These demonstrations have posed a significant challenge to Iran’s theocracy, unlike anything seen since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. In the aftermath of the protests, there was a severe crackdown by security forces, resulting in over 500 casualties and more than 22,000 detentions.
Australia’s Sanctions Spark Diplomatic Protest
Iran responded by formally protesting the recent sanctions, summoning the Australian ambassador to the Middle East. The sanctions were imposed due to alleged human rights violations, as reported by Australia.
Among the individuals and entities targeted by these sanctions are Iran’s cyber police, Press TV (the English-language state TV channel), and Iran’s police spokesman, Saeed Montazer Almehdi.
Iran has previously summoned Western envoys on similar occasions to express its disapproval of their remarks and actions.
Iran’s government has laid the blame for the unrest on Western influences, while Australia continues to stand by its sanctions as a response to alleged human rights abuses, including those against women and girls in Iran.