United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Iranian authorities to exercise maximum restraint amid ongoing protests, stressing that the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly must be fully respected and protected. He urged officials to refrain from the unnecessary or disproportionate use of force and to restore access to information and communications in the country.

The appeal comes as widespread demonstrations continue across Iran, with human rights groups reporting significant casualties over the past two weeks. Protests that began over rising inflation and economic hardship have escalated into nationwide unrest, with clashes between protesters and security forces reported in multiple cities.

International reactions have followed the developments closely. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced support for the Iranian people’s demands for freedom, while US officials indicated that Washington is monitoring the situation. Iranian authorities, meanwhile, have blamed the unrest on rioters and foreign interference and warned that legal action against protesters would be carried out strictly.