Iranians in Spain reject foreign intervention in Iran

Iranians living in Madrid said on Monday (January 12) they did not want foreign intervention in their home country after the government's deadly crackdown on nationwide protests.

The protests began in response to soaring prices that have worsened daily hardships, before turning against the clerical rulers who have governed for more than 45 years.

U.S.-based rights group HRANA said it had verified the deaths of 544 people - 496 protesters and 48 security personnel, with 10,681 people arrested since the protests began on December 28 and spread around the country.

President of the Iranian Association for Human rights in Spain, Fariba Ehsan, said that an intervention from Trump or Spain wouldn’t bring peace or democracy to the country.

Iranians living abroad are also concerned because they haven’t been able to contact their loved ones for several days.

In previous years, people in Iran had faced problems with communication, but nothing like the current communications blackout, said Ahmad Teheri, President of Persepolis intercultural centre in Madrid.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday (January 12) the U.S. may meet Iranian officials and he was in contact with Iran's opposition, while piling pressure on its leaders, including threatening possible military action over lethal violence against protesters. Iran leaders said on Monday they were keeping communications open with Trump.

Production: Leonardo Benassatto, Nina Lopez/Reuters