German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday slammed the 'unacceptable' crackdown on Iranian pro-opposition demonstrators by state security forces and pressed Tehran to respect civil rights. 'I condemn the recent violent clashes in Iran in which people died due to the unacceptable actions of the security forces,' she said in a strongly worded statement. 'I call on Iran to live up to its obligations under the (United Nations') International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In particular, the right to free expression through peaceful demonstrations must not be restricted or suppressed by violence.' 