Germany, Trump condemn Iran’s excessive reaction to protests

Berlin ‘shocked’ by reports of over 100 deaths during petrol protests as Trump says internet shutdown to quell accounts of violence by security forces.

BERLIN/WASHINGTON - Germany on Thursday condemned Iranian security forces for using excessive force as they sought to quell protests sparked by a hike in petrol prices.

"We are shocked by reports of the deaths of more than 100 victims, and condemn the disproportionate action by Iranian security forces. The right to peaceful protest must be respected," a foreign ministry spokeswoman said in a statement.

"We call on the Iranian security forces to exercise the greatest possible restraint," she added.

US President Donald Trump accused Iran's government of shutting down internet access to cover up "death and tragedy" during a wave of street protests.

"Iran has become so unstable that the regime has shut down their entire Internet System so that the Great Iranian people cannot talk about the tremendous violence taking place within the country," Trump tweeted.

"They want ZERO transparency, thinking the world will not find out the death and tragedy that the Iranian Regime is causing!" he wrote.

Demonstrations erupted in sanctions-hit Iran last Friday, hours after the price of gasoline was raised by as much as 200 percent, and unrest spread to scores of urban centers.

A near total internet shutdown has made obtaining information on bloodshed difficult. Officials have confirmed five deaths, but Amnesty International has said the real death toll could be at least 100.

Iran's government is under massive international pressure and economic sanctions led by Washington over Tehran's nuclear program.

Demonstrations erupted in sanctions-hit Iran on Friday, hours after the price of petrol was raised by as much as 200 percent, and unrest spread to scores of urban centres.

Officials have confirmed five deaths, but Amnesty International said Tuesday that more than 100 demonstrators were believed to have been killed and that the real toll could be as high as 200.

The full extent of the bloodshed is difficult to ascertain given a near-total internet blackout.

Berlin also urged Tehran to "completely lift" the blockade on the Internet, said the foreign ministry spokeswoman.