European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday strongly denounced the Iranian authorities’ violent response to ongoing anti-government protests, calling for the immediate release of detained demonstrators and the restoration of internet access across the country.

“We unequivocally condemn the violent repression of these legitimate demonstrations,” Ursula von der Leyen

Von der Leyen said Europe stands “fully behind” the Iranian protesters, urging Tehran to free those imprisoned and to restore internet connectivity, which has been cut nationwide since Thursday.

Protests Escalate Across Iran

The demonstrations first erupted in December, driven by widespread public anger over Iran’s severe economic conditions. Within days, however, the protests evolved into open opposition against the country’s clerical leadership.

Despite heavy security measures, anti-government demonstrations continued on Saturday. Reports emerged of overwhelmed hospitals, while the Iranian military issued an appeal to citizens, urging them to counter what it described as “enemy plots.”

According to the group Human Rights Activists in Iran, at least 65 people had been killed by Friday, with 2,311 arrests recorded. Protests were reported at 512 locations across 180 cities. Meanwhile, Time magazine cited higher figures, reporting that more than 200 people may have died.

A Western diplomat told POLITICO that reports from non-governmental organizations suggesting a significantly higher death toll were “credible.” A spokesperson for the exiled opposition group NCRI added that deaths in smaller towns were likely underreported.

European Leaders Call for Stronger Action

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on Saturday evening urged the European Union to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization and to expand sanctions against the Iranian regime.

“Those braving the streets, those political prisoners still being detained, need more than just words — Europe can act,” Roberta Metsola

Metsola had already expressed support for the protesters earlier in the week, prompting criticism from the Iranian Mission to the EU. The EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas also condemned any violence against protesters as “unacceptable.” German Green MEP Hannah Neumann described the unrest as a “breaking point” for Iran.

Global Reactions and Internet Blackout

On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a joint statement urging Iranian authorities to “refrain from violence.”

U.S. President Donald Trump voiced strong support for the protesters, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington “supports the brave people of Iran.”

Demonstrators also gathered outside the Iranian embassy in Brussels on Saturday. By late afternoon, the crowd had dispersed, leaving behind red paint splashed on the embassy gate.

According to cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks, Iran’s nationwide internet shutdown has now exceeded 48 hours. The group said telemetry data confirmed that the blackout remains firmly in place, further isolating the country amid the escalating unrest.