EU Lands More Sanctions On Iranian Officials
The European Union imposed additional restrictive measures on seven individuals responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.
The European Union imposed additional restrictive measures on seven individuals responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.
“The new listings include the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of (Esfahan) Isfahan province and the Deputy Judge of the Provincial Criminal Court of Isfahan province, who are responsible for the trials against the protestors Saleh Mirhashmi, Majid Kazemi and Saeid Yaqoubi, subsequently executed in May 2023,” said
In addition, the sanctions target the commander of the IRGC in Isfahan province, who oversaw the IRGC's response to anti-government protests.
Also listed by the Council are the Governor of Gilan province and the head of the Rezvanshahr Security Council, who ordered police officers to fire at protesters during the nationwide protests, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries, including children. The Police Commander of Rezvanshahr was also targeted in the new batch of sanctions.
“Lastly, sanctions were imposed on the Governor of the city of Amol, responsible for the killing of at least two young Iranian protesters, and the commander of the Imam Hossein Guards Corps of Karaj over the detention and killing of Mohammad Reza Ghorbani and the detention and rape of Amrita Abbassi by the Karaj security forces,” the statement claimed.
The EU's restrictive measures now apply to a total of 223 individuals and 37 entities. They consist of an asset freeze, a travel ban to the EU and a prohibition to make funds or economic resources available to those listed.
The European Union member states also called on Iran to halt its violent crackdown on peaceful protests, cease its arbitrary detentions, and release all those wrongfully imprisoned.
In his weekly media briefing, spokesman Nasser Kanaani repeated the Iranian regime’s narrative of “decades of crimes” by the United States.
“Iran’s approach to America emanates from their hostile behavior, and as long as America’s behavior does not fundamentally change, it is natural that Iran’s attitude toward America remains the same,” Kanaani announced.
He was speaking in the context of improving relations with neighboring countries and reports of secret talks and even an ‘understanding’ with the United States.
The reality that Tehran and Washington have been holding mediated talks in Oman, Qatar and even having direct contacts in New York is all but certain. Numerous media reports and statements by Israeli officials have pointed to a possible unwritten deal, whereby the US would allow the release of Iran’s frozen funds in exchange for some temporary restraint in uranium enrichment.
The Biden administration has denied any such “interim deal” but few believe that some kind negotiation is not taking place behind the scenes.
Kanaani also added that Tehran does not link its foreign policy and pursuit of national interests to relations with any one country or one issue, referring to the United States and the dispute over its nuclear program.
However, Kanaani also spoke about exchanging prisoners, an issue that Washington has hinted is a subject of talks and can reduce tensions and possibly open the way for more agreements.
The Iranian spokesman said that the United States should free Iranian citizens that “the American regime has jailed based on various false excuses related to violating sanctions.” Kanaani said that US sanctions in essence are illegal, and Iran has been trying for years to free these prisoners.
The Iranian regime is currently holding three American dual-nationals hostage based on trumped-up charges of spying and after bogus trials without due process of law. On the other hand, individuals arrested in the US for violating sanctions have received the benefits of full and transparent trials.
Kanaani claimed that in the past and in different periods certain agreements were reached with Washington through intermediaries but when it came to implementation the US was not ready to make decisions. He confirmed that currently talks are taking place with the help of parties that have “goodwill” in this regard, but “we need to see if America is ready to make decisions or not.”
Earlier this month, the Biden administration allowed Iraq to release $2.7 billion it owed Iran for energy imports – part of a larger amount in Iraqi banks. This was seen as a gesture to reach a deal on prisoners, but so far nothing has been finalized.
It is not clear if the released funds will be made available to Tehran in cash US dollars or in credits that Iran can use to import food and medicine. No details were announced about the $2.7 billion released by Iraq. South Korea holds another $7 billion and apparently the unresolved issues in prisoner exchange revolves around these funds and how Iran can access the money.
At the same time, it is perhaps inevitable that release of the frozen funds and exchange of prisoners become entangled with the nuclear issue, especially if an interim deal is being discussed.
