French Foreign Minister Says Paris Will Propose Sanctions Against Iranian Officials

Jean-Noël Barrot, the French Foreign Minister, announced on Monday that France is lifting some sanctions against Syria. He also added that France will propose sanctions against Iranian officials responsible for the detention of French citizens in Iran. On Monday, Bahman 8, the French Foreign Minister described these proposed sanctions as severe, stating: "Today I announce that we will propose that individuals responsible for these arbitrary detentions be sanctioned by the European Union in the coming months." These remarks come as the European Parliament, in a resolution issued on Bahman 4, called on the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately release EU citizens, including Olivier Grondin, a French writer and bookseller, Cecile Kohler, a French teacher and her partner, Jacques Paris, as well as Ahmadreza Jalali, an Iranian-Swedish citizen. Olivier Grondin was arrested on Mehr 20, 1401, during the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests while on his global tour in a hotel in Shiraz. The European Parliament's resolution states: Iran must end hostage diplomacy. Two other French nationals currently imprisoned in Iran are a teacher named Cecile Kohler and her partner Jacques Paris, who were detained in Ordibehesht 1401. They are accused of attempting to incite labor protests, allegations strongly denied by their families. Louis Arnaud, a French citizen who was released after more than two years in prison in Iran on Khordad 24, 1403, recently spoke to France 24 about the conditions in Iranian prisons. He described the dire conditions in Iranian prisons, stating that the way Iranian authorities treat detainees, both Iranian and foreign, strips them of their "human dignity." The Islamic Republic of Iran typically arrests dual nationals and foreign citizens on charges such as "acting against national security" and "espionage," but does not provide clear evidence to substantiate these charges. Human rights activists and European governments believe that the Islamic Republic uses these prisoners as hostages for bargaining and gaining concessions. The French Foreign Minister also announced on Monday that the European Union has decided to lift some sanctions against Syria. This decision was made after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December and aims to help stabilize the situation in Damascus. According to Jean-Noël Barrot, sanctions imposed on the energy, transportation, and financial sectors will be suspended to assist in Syria's economic reconstruction. Bashar al-Assad, whose family has ruled Syria for 54 years, was overthrown on December 8 by Islamist rebels. The Syrian civil war has caused extensive damage to cities, infrastructure, and the economy over the past 13 years, pushing millions into poverty and displacement. On Monday, it was reported that the European Union is considering a gradual suspension of sanctions on Syria. Kaya Kalas, the EU's foreign policy chief, stated that this action depends on the progress of the situation and the reconstruction of the country by the new Damascus government. She is also considering the reopening of the EU embassy in Damascus to monitor the situation. Meanwhile, Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany, announced that his government is looking into the possibility of returning Syrian criminals after the regime change in Damascus.