The EU will swiftly propose new sanctions on Iran over a ‘horrifying’ rise in casualties from a crackdown on mass protests, the bloc’s chief has said.
BRUSSELS: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Brussels would “swiftly” propose new sanctions on Iran.
This follows a dramatic increase in casualties from a crackdown on mass protests.
“The rising number of casualties in Iran is horrifying,” she posted online on Tuesday.
“I unequivocally condemn the excessive use of force and continued restriction of freedom.”
“Further sanctions on those responsible for the repression will be swiftly proposed,” she added.
The EU has expressed its backing for Iranians participating in the nationwide protests.
These pose one of the biggest challenges to the clerical leadership since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
The EU has already sanctioned several hundred Iranian officials over previous crackdowns.
It has also sanctioned officials over Tehran’s support for Russia’s war on Ukraine.
There have been calls for the EU to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps a “terrorist” organisation.
So far Brussels has argued it does not have the legal grounds to make that move.
Von der Leyen reiterated that the EU has already placed the Revolutionary Guards on an asset freeze and visa ban blacklist.
This was over rights abuses.
