At least 76 people have died in Iran as authorities cracked down on protests sparked by the death of a young woman detained by morality police for not wearing a veil properly, according to human rights organizations. EL PERIÓDICO DE ESPAÑA, part of the Prensa Ibérica group, spoke with the Iranian ambassador to Spain about the ongoing unrest. The ambassador, Hassan Ghashghavi, collected the newspaper from the embassy in Madrid hours after hundreds of women gathered to demand justice and freedom for Iranian women. Minutes later, the Spanish Foreign Ministry summoned him to convey Spain’s rejection of the regime’s use of excessive force.
During the embassy protest, a demonstrator displayed photographs on the ground showing people believed killed by police. The ambassador was shown the images and was asked for his response.
He responded that the deaths were a regrettable outcome of the riots and that it is unfortunate that some police officers died as well, noting that the public release of victim photographs did not reveal the fate of the officers who died nearby.
The State Department summoned the ambassador earlier in the day to protest. The ambassador described the meeting as cordial and said his position had been carefully explained, though details would be left to the ministry for disclosure.
Regarding whether anyone from the Ministry had contacted him during the twelve-day crisis, he stated that no direct contact had occurred, and that the Wednesday meeting had been with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ángeles Moreno Bau.
Spain had urged an investigation into the death of the young woman. The ambassador indicated that discussion would continue but emphasized the need to understand how such inquiries unfold in Iran before making judgments. He suggested considering whether similar incidents have occurred in other European countries and asked what authorities should be expected to do in response.
Asked whether the Iranian government is handling the protests effectively, he avoided a direct assessment, saying it is not his role to judge Iran as good or bad. He noted that the government faces questions about respect for universal standards and noted that information from the Iranian media often differs from that from human rights groups.
When pressed for the official death toll, he referenced that newspapers abroad publish differing figures and pointed to the need for transparent data. He explained that a thorough, transparent investigation was promised to the victim’s family, and that any accountability would follow the investigation outcomes, including possible action against police if warranted.
In response to whether the government has communicated with the families of protesters, he described a process of investigation conducted by three separate bodies and urged patience while the inquiries proceed. He mentioned that at least 75 ambulances were reported burned and 170 bank branches damaged, illustrating the broader disruption accompanying the protests.
On the cause of the riots, he suggested external groups may have influenced some events, while acknowledging that many participants were young people. He emphasized a realistic view of protests and argued that not everything stems from outside forces. He contrasted the Iran situation with incidents in London, noting that authorities there acted to restore order during a violent demonstration.
Regarding the police response, he stressed that police training and proportional use of force are universal concerns and cited Spain’s own experiences during 2017 as an example of how diplomats discuss policing actions with host governments. He asserted that the aim was not to diminish peaceful demonstrations but to prevent violence when riots occur.
In discussing the broader political context, the ambassador expressed optimism that dialogue would improve over time and suggested expanding youth-focused media and social networks to foster better understanding. He described his long-standing commitment to human rights and women’s rights and recalled his early work as a member of parliament, including leading a group focused on these issues.
Finally, he insisted that ongoing negotiations, including those related to Iran’s nuclear program, would not be derailed by the protests, and he anticipated that the situation would be resolved with continued engagement and a commitment to lawful processes.