In a move reflecting the European Union's firm stance against human rights violations in Iran, the EU announced a new round of sanctions targeting senior Iranian officials, including the Interior Minister and commanders in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This decision comes as a direct response to the Iranian authorities' violent crackdown on widespread protests across the country.
Background of the protests and their historical context
This wave of sanctions has its roots in the protests that erupted in September 2022 following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in the custody of Tehran’s “morality police” for allegedly violating the country’s strict hijab laws. Her death sparked widespread public outrage and ignited the largest protest movement Iran had seen in years, under the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom.” The demonstrations spread across the country, led by women and young people demanding greater civil liberties and an end to systematic repression.
Details of the new European sanctions
According to the list published in the Official Journal of the European Union, the sanctions target 15 Iranian officials and six entities. Among the most prominent figures sanctioned are Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi Azad, both key figures in the security and judicial apparatus responsible for implementing the crackdown. These measures include asset freezes and visa bans for the targeted officials, aiming to isolate them internationally and hold them accountable for their role in the human rights abuses.
The importance and expected impact of the decision
This move is of paramount importance both domestically and internationally. Domestically, the sanctions send a strong message of support to Iranian protesters, underscoring that the international community is watching closely and will not tolerate excessive violence against civilians. Internationally, they represent an escalation of diplomatic pressure on Tehran, further isolating it politically and economically. These sanctions come at a sensitive time, as the bloc's foreign ministers are likely to approve an even bolder step: designating the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the regime's main striking force and the primary force responsible for suppressing dissent, as a "terrorist organization." Such a decision would have far-reaching consequences for relations between Europe and Iran, potentially complicating efforts to revive the nuclear agreement and impacting the geopolitical dynamics of the entire Middle East region.
