Hundreds of people gathered outside the Iranian embassy in Brussels on Sunday to express solidarity with protesters in Iran, where demonstrations against economic hardship

and political repression have continued for more than a week.

Organisers estimate that around 700 people attended the rally, waving flags, holding placards and chanting slogans in support of Iranians who have taken to the streets in Tehran and dozens of other cities. Protesters denounced rising living costs, corruption and what they describe as years of repression by the authorities.

The demonstrations in Iran have been met with a violent crackdown. According to the Oslo-based NGO Iran Human Rights, at least 192 people have been killed so far, while other sources put the death toll at more than 500. The true number remains difficult to verify, as Iranian authorities have reportedly shut down internet and telephone connections across the country, severely limiting independent reporting.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever added his voice to the growing international response, publicly backing the protesters. In a message posted on X, he said that “courageous Iranians are standing up for freedom after years of repression and economic hardship” and stressed that “they deserve our full support”.

During the Brussels rally, some demonstrators urged the Belgian government to take stronger diplomatic action, including closing the Iranian embassy and expelling its ambassador. Similar solidarity protests were held across Europe over the weekend, with demonstrators gathering in cities in Germany, France and the United Kingdom to call attention to the situation in Iran and to demand accountability for the reported deaths. Photo by Pymouss, Wikimedia commons.