Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Monday, foreign ministers of the European Union adopted sanctions targeting seven Iranian individuals and two organisations in response to the detention of EU citizens, which the bloc describes as a practice of state-sponsored hostage-taking, diplomats said, Reuters reported.
A few days ago, Reuters reported that European Union foreign ministers will target nine Iranians connected to what the EU calls a policy of state-sponsored hostage-taking in new sanctions expected to be adopted on Monday.
Who are the targets of the EU’s sanctions?
According to sources, a list of those sanctioned included the director of Tehran’s Evin prison and several judges and other judicial officers. Shiraz’s main prison was among the organisations sanctioned.
A high-ranking European diplomat and another official indicated that nine individuals identified as responsible for the policy will be added to the EU sanctions list, encompassing asset freezes and travel restrictions.
Why is the EU sanctioning Iranian officials now?
Recently, Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards have detained numerous dual nationals and foreigners, predominantly on accusations of espionage and security breaches. Diplomats confirm that this includes at least 20 European citizens.
“You really have to take action against that policy of just picking people off the streets, throwing them in jail just to get something from some European member states and that’s what we’re doing now,”
Said the senior diplomat.
Rights organisations have claimed that Iran is attempting to gain concessions from nations through these arrests, a claim Iran denies, asserting it does not acknowledge dual nationality.
Why is France leading the EU pressure on Tehran?
France, with two of its citizens held under what it calls torturous conditions, is spearheading efforts to increase pressure on Iran regarding this matter.
“To free them, we will increase pressure on the Iranian regime,”
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot informed lawmakers earlier this week.
“We will adopt on Monday additional European sanctions against Iranian officials who are responsible for this policy of state hostage-taking,”
He said, without mentioning the number.
In an effort to increase pressure on Iran, France is set to lodge a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding Iran’s infringement of the right to consular protection.
Additionally, the 27 EU member states have intensified their stance against Tehran’s progression of its nuclear programme and its military assistance to Russia in recent months. In 2011, the EU implemented sanctions against Iran due to severe human rights abuses. These restrictive measures have been renewed every year since and were most recently extended until April 13, 2025.
Since October 2022, due to the worsening human rights conditions in the country, the EU has significantly intensified its restrictive measures, implementing 10 sanction packages.
