Six EU member states plan Iran sanctions over protests clampdown

Germany, France, Denmark, Spain, Italy and the Czech Republic have submitted proposals for new European Union sanctions against Iran for suppressing protests over women’s rights, Spiegel magazine reported on Monday, citing sources.

The proposed sanctions target 16 people, organizations and institutions primary responsible for the clampdown on nationwide protests that were ignited by the death in custody of a young woman, Spiegel added.

Those proposing the sanctions are aiming for the EU foreign ministers to decide on them at their meeting on October 17, with no resistance expected from the members of the bloc.

Germany’s foreign ministry was not immediately available for comment. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Monday that Tehran’s suppression of protests was “an expression of sheer fear of education and the power of freedom” and promised sanctions.

“It is also difficult to bear that our foreign policy options are limited. But we can amplify their voice, create publicity, bring charges and sanction. And that we are doing,” Baerbock tweeted.

The anti-government protests, which began at 22-year-old Mahsa Amini’s funeral on September 17 in the Kurdish town of Saqez, have spiraled into the biggest show of opposition to Iran’s authorities in years, with many calling for the end of more than four decades of Islamic clerical rule.

Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based group, has said more than 100 people have been killed. Iranian authorities have not given a death toll, while saying many members of the security forces have been killed by “rioters and thugs backed by foreign foes.”

Last week state television said 41 had died, including members of the security forces.