New European sanctions target Iran's Interior Minister and the Revolutionary Guard
In a new escalation reflecting strained diplomatic relations between Brussels and Tehran, the European Union officially announced a new package of harsh sanctions against high-ranking officials in the Iranian regime. The blacklist includes the Interior Minister and senior commanders in the Revolutionary Guard, in response to the ongoing violent crackdown on popular protests across the country, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries.
Details of the sanctions and targeted names
According to the official journal of the European Union, the new sanctions target key figures in Iran's security and judicial apparatus. The list is headed by Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi Azad . Under this decision, the EU has placed 15 officials and six institutional entities on its asset freeze and visa ban list, further restricting their movements and financial activities in Europe.
Context of the protests and the human rights background
These European moves come as a direct response to international human rights reports documenting grave human rights violations in Iran. A widespread wave of popular protests has erupted in various Iranian cities, met with excessive force by security forces. Observers believe that targeting the Interior Minister and the Attorney General sends a clear political message: Europe holds the top leadership directly responsible for ordering the repression and prosecution of protesters.
The move towards classifying the Revolutionary Guard
Concurrently with the imposition of these sanctions, the European Union is witnessing intense and unprecedented discussions regarding the status of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Indications suggest that the bloc's foreign ministers are considering designating the Revolutionary Guard as a "terrorist organization." If ultimately adopted, this move would represent a radical shift in European policy toward Tehran, as the Revolutionary Guard is accused of leading field operations to suppress protests and directing hardline security policies.
Political and international dimensions of the decision
These sanctions cannot be separated from the broader context of strained relations between Iran and the West. Alongside the human rights issue, the Iranian nuclear program remains deadlocked, making economic and political pressure the preferred option for European countries. These measures aim to exert maximum diplomatic pressure to isolate the Iranian regime internationally, support the protesters' demands for fundamental freedoms, and emphasize that human rights violations will not go unpunished internationally.
