"The UK government has summoned the Iranian ambassador in response to the ongoing "brutal" killings of protesters in the country, the foreign secretary has said. Thousands of people are feared dead or have been detained after a crackdown on anti-government protesters across Iran in recent days. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper outlined "the UK's total abhorrence of the killings, the violence, and the repression that we are seeing", and said she feared the death toll may be significantly higher than reported so far."
"She also said the government would implement "full and further sanctions" against Iran targeting finance, energy, transport, software and other significant industries. The Foreign Office has not specifically set out what form the new sanctions will take or when they will be put in place. Cooper, who spoke directly to the Iranian foreign minister on Monday to convey the UK's objections to the crackdown, said the decision to summon the ambassador on Tuesday came following "horrific reports" of violence overnight"
The UK summoned the Iranian ambassador after reports of brutal killings and a severe crackdown on protesters. Thousands are feared dead or detained and the foreign secretary said the death toll may be significantly higher than reported. The government will implement full and further sanctions targeting finance, energy, transport, software and other significant industries, though the Foreign Office has not specified form or timing. Protests that began in December over economic hardship and rising inflation broadened into anti-regime rallies and were met by security forces using live ammunition and mass arrests. A near-total internet blackout has cut Iranians off and restrictions on international news organisations hamper independent verification of casualties.
Read at www.bbc.com
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