Speaking to reporters on Friday, Baqaei condemned the violent crackdown by French security forces against protesters and called for the protection of fundamental human rights and basic freedoms during labor-related and student protests by those whose human rights claims “have deafened the ears of the world.”

The Foreign Ministry spokesman pointed out that French officials describe the conduct of Iranian security forces against armed terrorists trained by the Zionist regime as a violation of human rights, while refusing to tolerate even the slightest violent act against police during peaceful gatherings and suppressing protesters in the harshest manner.

At the same time, he stressed the need for protesters to refrain from violent behavior, damaging public and private property, and attacking security and law enforcement personnel responsible for maintaining order.

Referring to reports published by French news agencies about the arrest of more than 2,000 protesters and their being beaten by police, Baqaei called for an investigation into allegations that security forces had used severe violence against demonstrators.

The protests began in the Paris region in late September over teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, deteriorating school facilities and demanding better educational conditions, before spreading to schools across France. Some demonstrations have escalated into clashes with police, fires and property damage.

French authorities said 1,949 people were arrested on October 1 alone, while 305 police officers and gendarmes were injured. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said the number of people arrested since the protests began had reached about 2,000, with roughly two-thirds remaining in police custody. Around 400 schools were expected to remain closed on October 2 as the unrest continued.