Brussels (dpa) – EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has announced her readiness to propose new sanctions against Iran due to what she termed the brutal repression of protesters.
“The EU has already implemented extensive sanctions on Iran targeting those accountable for human rights violations, nuclear proliferation, and Tehran’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine,” Kallas stated in an interview with German newspaper Die Welt published on Sunday.
“I am prepared to suggest additional sanctions in response to the regime’s brutal crackdown on demonstrators,” she continued.
According to information from the German press agency dpa, the primary focus is expected to be on punitive measures aimed at individuals responsible for violence against protesters, which could potentially include government ministers. These measures may involve EU travel bans and asset freezes.
Kallas emphasized that Iranians are risking everything to express their opinions and highlighted the regime’s long-standing history of suppressing protests, noting that security forces are once again reacting with brutality.
Iran has experienced nearly two weeks of mass protests triggered by a severe economic crisis. Activists report that dozens of protesters have died due to a harsh crackdown by security forces.
Monitoring groups have indicated that the authorities have enforced a nationwide internet blackout since Thursday, with telephone lines also disrupted. (12 January)
The editorial responsibility for the publication lies with dpa.
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