Ukraine urges pressure on Iran for oppression and backing Russia
Photo: Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (Getty Images)
Ukraine has condemned Iran's support for Russia's aggression against Ukraine and Tehran's oppression of its own citizens. Kyiv calls on the international community to increase pressure on the Iranian regime, according to Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
"Iran's support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and its oppression of its own citizens are part of the same policy of violence and disrespect for human dignity," Andrii Sybiha stressed.
He emphasized that the Iranian people deserve to have their fundamental civic rights protected, including access to information and freedom of assembly.
"Iranians deserve normal life, free of fear, a life with freedom, safety, and prosperity," the Minister added.
Sybiha called on Iranian authorities to refrain from violence against protestors and also appealed to the international community.
"We call on the international community to consider tightening pressure on the Iranian regime for its violence against its people and support for Russia's criminal war against Ukraine," the Foreign Minister emphasized.
Mass protests in Iran
Iran has been gripped by its largest protests since 2022, triggered by a sharp drop in the national currency and a deepening economic crisis. Amid the rapid devaluation of the rial, record inflation, and growing social anger, thousands of people have taken to the streets despite harsh repression by authorities.
The protests have continued for several weeks, despite threats by security personnel to use force. According to available data, more than 50 people have been killed so far, including children.
At the same time, an internal rift emerges within the Iranian military and security elite over further crackdowns on the protests spreading across the country.
Iran's support for the war in Ukraine
Russian leader Vladimir Putin signed a law ratifying a treaty establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership with Iran. The document was published on April 21.
Russia and Iran have long cooperated, largely informally. Iran is actively supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine, including by providing military assistance. As early as 2022, Tehran supplied Moscow with kamikaze drones that Russian forces use against Ukrainian military personnel and civilians.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that Russia has received short-range ballistic missiles from Iran. At the time, the US Department of State said Washington and its allies were prepared to take serious measures in response to the possible transfer of these missiles.
EU intelligence has confirmed that Iran has supplied ballistic missiles to Russia.
Meanwhile, Iran's Ministry of Defense has officially denied supplying missiles, but an Iranian lawmaker confirmed the information to the media. He noted that Tehran receives dollars from arms sales and bypasses sanctions through cooperation with Russia.
