European Parliament President calls for significantly tougher sanctions against Iran
Photo: Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament (Getty Images)
The European Union needs to impose significantly tougher sanctions on Iran, including adding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to the list of terrorist organizations, this is stated in a letter from European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, according to Euractiv.
Metsola proposed expanding the list of Iranian regime officials subject to EU sanctions for "repression and human rights violations," as well as tightening control over the export of technologies that could be used for surveillance and suppressing protests.
"I believe it is essential that the European Union demonstrates a coherent and united institutional response," she said.
According to her, a coordinated and principled response from all EU institutions remains essential to maintaining trust in the EU.
She also suggested engaging with telecommunications companies to explore options for restoring internet access for residents of Iran, as well as considering trade sanctions "to maximise pressure on the regime."
The European Parliament cannot initiate sanctions: they must be proposed by the European Commission and then unanimously approved by the 27 national governments.
Protests in Iran
Protests in Iran began as a result of a combination of harsh government repression, systemic human rights violations, and a deteriorating socio-economic situation.
Protesters are calling for the overthrow of the regime of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Media reports indicate casualties among both protesters and security forces. According to unconfirmed data, around 12,000 people may have died.
More details on the protests in Iran and their potential impact on events in Ukraine can be found in the RBC-Ukraine report.
