Iran: Niece of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calls on countries to cut ties with regime

A niece of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has urged foreign governments to cut all ties with Tehran over its violent crackdown on protests sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death.

Farideh Moradkhani comes from a branch of the family that has a record of opposition to Iran’s clerical leadership has reportedly been jailed for speaking out against the government.

In the video, she condemned the “clear and obvious oppression” Iranians have been subjected to, and criticised the international community’s inaction.

“This regime is not loyal to any of its religious principles and does not know any law or rule except force and maintaining its power in any way possible,” she said in the video.

She complained that the sanctions imposed against the regime over its crackdown were “laughable” and said Iranians had been left “alone” in their fight for freedom.

It was not clear when the video had been recorded.

Her brother Mahmoud Moradkhani wrote on Twitter that she was arrested on Wednesday after going to the office of the prosecutor following a summons.

At least 416 people, including 51 children, have been killed in the crack down, according to the Norway-based organisation Iran Human Rights.

The death of Mahsa Amini, 22, in September - after being detained by police in Tehran for allegedly not adhering to the Islamic dress code - triggered protests across the world.