Ireland has postponed a ceremony to present the credentials of the new Iranian ambassador, citing the regime's violent crackdown on protesters. The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed the delay after a significant number of Iranians were killed or injured in recent days.
Hundreds have died and thousands have been detained in the uprising against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's rule. Protests began in late December over the ailing economy and have continued despite internet and telephone blackouts.
A spokesperson for the Department said: 'The decision to postpone the ceremony of credentials for the Ambassador-designate of the Islamic Republic of Iran was taken in light of protests in Iran in recent days which have seen very significant numbers of Iranians killed or injured and a communications blackout.'
On Monday, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin called for an end to the violence, stating: '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.'
