World

EU approves new Iran sanctions in response to crackdown

By AAP Newswire

Jan 29, 2026

European union in front of the headquarters in Brussels — The EU has agreed to new sanctions against Iran after the country's brutal crackdown on protests. -EPA

European Union ‍foreign ministers have adopted new Iran sanctions targeting individuals ⁠and entities involved in a violent crackdown on protesters and the ‌country's support to Russia.

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Under the measure, around 30 individuals and entities are to be sanctioned with asset freezes and travel bans.

The names are to be published shortly by the EU, but French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said those targeted include "members of the (Iranian) government, prosecutors, police unit leaders, members of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, those responsible for blocking the internet."

Reports suggest between 3000 and 10,000 protesters were killed in the violent crackdown on demonstrations that have swept Iran.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Luxemburg's Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel suggested that up to 30,000 people could have been killed during the wave of violence.

The ministers ‍are also expected to reach a political agreement to include Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard ‌Corps (IRGC) on the bloc's list of terrorist organisations, ‍putting the group in a category similar to the Islamic State and al-Qaeda and marking a symbolic shift in Europe's approach to Iran's leadership.

with DPA