EU Moves Toward New Sanctions on Iran Over Protest Crackdown
The European Union is preparing to propose new sanctions on Iran in response to the authorities’ crackdown on widespread protests.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Brussels would act swiftly as the number of casualties continues to rise. She condemned the excessive use of force and ongoing restrictions on freedoms, stressing the EU’s support for the Iranian people.
She noted that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has already been listed under the EU’s human rights sanctions regime, with further measures against those responsible for repression now under discussion.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also confirmed that member states are actively considering additional sanctions on Tehran.
At the same time, analysts point out that Iran’s severe economic difficulties, which helped spark the protests, are closely linked to years of international sanctions imposed by European and North American countries.
