Repression and violence in Iran must end, says Taoiseach

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, Press Association

The repression of citizens and protesters in Iran must end, Micheál Martin has said.

Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands detained in the uprising against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s rule.

Protests in Iran began in late December over the ailing economy and have transformed into the most significant challenge to the regime for several years.

The internet and telephone lines have been cut off, but footage of events in Tehran and other cities has made it to social media.

US president Donald Trump said on Sunday night that Iran “wants to negotiate” after he threatened action following the crackdown.

I strongly condemn the brutal and violent suppression of protestors that has left hundreds of civilians dead in Iran over recent days. pic.twitter.com/GrlRE4IZz6

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 12, 2026

On Monday, the Taoiseach said the violence in Iran “must stop” and that Iranians had the right to protest.

“I strongly condemn the brutal and violent suppression of protestors that has left hundreds of civilians dead in Iran over recent days,” he said in a statement on the social media site X.

“The people of Iran have a fundamental right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression.

“The repression must end. I urge the authorities in Tehran to uphold the rights of all their citizens.

“The violence must stop, the curtailing of basic freedoms must end, and dialogue begin at once.”

On Sunday, Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee said she was “deeply concerned” by developments in Iran.

She said she was in contact with the Irish embassy in Tehran and with EU partners.

“I call on the Iranian authorities to refrain from any further violence, to restore communications, engage with demonstrators about their grievances and to uphold the fundamental rights of all Iranians.”