The South African government on Thursday expressed concern at developments in Iran, urging maximum restraint from all parties.

Tensions are running high as anti-government protests over rising living costs across Iran intensify and turn violent.

The death toll from the violent crackdown by the Iranian government, led by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is reportedly nearing 3 000.

South Africa said peaceful protests, freedom of expression, and freedom of association were universal human rights that must be upheld “without exception”.

“We therefore call on the Iranian authorities to ensure that citizens exercise their right to protest in peace,” the South African government said.

It stressed the need for solutions that centre the agency of the Iranian people.

Earlier this week, opposition party, the Democratic Alliance formally wrote to Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, demanding that he report Iran to the United Nations Human Rights Council for blatant human rights abuses in the deadly suppression of civilian protests.