EU to Impose New Sanctions on Iran Over Crackdown on Protests as Human Rights Concerns Deepen

The European Union (EU) is preparing to approve a new package of sanctions targeting around 20 Iranian individuals and entities in response to Iran’s increasingly brutal crackdown on anti-government protests that have swept the country. The proposed measures, set to be agreed by EU member states this week, are part of a broader effort by Brussels to exert diplomatic and economic pressure on Tehran over its handling of dissent and human rights abuses.

The sanctions under discussion are expected to include tighter export controls on drone and missile components, reflecting longstanding concerns within the EU about Iran’s role in regional conflicts and its supply of military technology, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and related parts. These export restrictions would align with the bloc’s existing efforts to curb Tehran’s support for armed groups and its involvement in hostilities beyond its borders.

The pressure comes amid widespread protests across Iran, which began in late December 2025 after a sharp currency collapse and rising inflation hit the population. Activists have taken to the streets in cities from Tehran to provincial centres, demanding economic relief and political reforms. Iranian authorities responded with a violent crackdown, including the use of lethal force, mass arrests, and internet blackouts in an attempt to suppress the demonstrations. Human rights organizations estimate that hundreds have been killed and thousands detained, with some reports placing the death toll significantly higher.

In Brussels, EU leaders and lawmakers have repeatedly condemned the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators and arbitrary detentions. The European Parliament recently adopted a strong resolution denouncing what it called the “brutal repression and mass murders” committed by Iranian forces. Members urged the Council of the EU to adopt tougher actions, including the formal designation of Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation — a move that would further isolate Tehran diplomatically and legally.

However, the IRGC designation remains contentious within the EU. Under EU rules, such a designation requires unanimous approval from all 27 member states, and some governments — notably France — have expressed reservations. Paris argues that labeling the IRGC as a terrorist group could complicate diplomatic efforts, especially those aimed at securing the release of French citizens currently detained in Iran. The French government has suggested that maintaining some channels of communication may be necessary to protect nationals and pursue long-term diplomatic solutions.

Despite these divisions, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has emphasised that Brussels is committed to responding firmly to the crisis. The proposed sanctions build on an extensive framework of restrictive measures the bloc has already imposed on Tehran over years of concerns about human rights abuses, repression, and destabilising activities. This structure includes asset freezes, travel bans, and prohibitions on financial transfers for individuals and organisations deemed responsible for serious violations.

The new sanctions round also highlights growing cooperation with Western allies. The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers — which includes EU members alongside the U.S., United Kingdom, Japan, and Canada — issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s crackdown and warning of “additional restrictive measures” should the violence continue.

For Tehran, the sanctions not only carry economic repercussions but also signal a sharp diplomatic rebuke from one of the world’s largest trading blocs. The EU’s insistence on human rights and the rule of law places it in direct opposition to Tehran’s harsh tactics and reflects a broader international concern about political freedoms in Iran.