The Australian foreign minister has decried Islamic Republic’s “horrific” crackdown on popular protests, saying that the Iranian regime should know “the world is watching.”

Following a meeting of women foreign ministers hosted by her Canadian counterpart Mélanie Joly to discuss the situation in Iran on Thursday, Penny Wong said, “We will continue to work together and support Iranian women and girls.”

“To those brave Iranian women and girls and others, peacefully protesting; please know, Australia is with you,” she said, adding, “Australians stand with Iranian women and girls in their struggle for equality.” “I call on the Iranian government to cease its oppression of women and suppression of protests.”

The Canadian foreign minister also spoke out about the uprising spearheaded by women and girls following the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, saying “The women of Iran are speaking clearly. No longer will they tolerate the regime’s vision of women in society.”

“As women foreign ministers, we have a responsibility to amplify their voices as they fight for their human rights, and to work together in support of the people of Iran,” she added. 

Calling on the Islamic Republic to cease its aggression against all citizens, especially children, Joly said, “Canada is appalled by the Iranian regime’s “continued targeting of children during protests and in what should be safe spaces, like schools.”