Kallas to Propose New EU Sanctions on Iran Over Protest Crackdown

Overview

• The EU’s top diplomat told POLITICO she is prepared to advance measures in response to what she called the regime’s brutal repression of protesters.
• According to DPA, the initial package under consideration would target those deemed responsible, possibly including ministers, with travel bans and asset freezes.
• Rights groups report a rising death toll since Dec. 28 ranging from nearly 200 to more than 500, after demonstrations over a currency collapse and soaring prices spread nationwide.
• European leaders escalated their public response, with statements from Ursula von der Leyen and Roberta Metsola and a joint declaration by Friedrich Merz, Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron condemning the killings.
• Iranian authorities have labeled protesters as terrorists and blamed the U.S. and Israel, while state-linked media reported the use of live ammunition against demonstrators and described mass casualties.