The European Union Extends Human Rights Sanctions Against Iran

On Thursday, April 23, the European Union extended its human rights sanctions against Iranian officials. These sanctions, which were imposed in 2011, include the freezing of assets of 82 individuals and one entity. Additionally, the EU has sanctioned the sale of equipment that 'can be used for internal repression or monitoring telecommunications.' Members of the European Council issued a statement on Thursday in response to what they termed 'serious human rights violations in Iran,' extending the EU sanctions which are unrelated to the 2015 nuclear agreement (JCPOA). The EU sanctions were imposed following the crackdown on protesters after the 2009 election results and have been renewed since then. Among those on the EU sanctions list are Mohammad Ali Jafari, commander of the IRGC, Hassan Firouzabadi, former chief of staff of the armed forces, Ali Saidi, former representative of the Supreme Leader in the IRGC, Hossein Taeb, head of the IRGC intelligence organization, Mohammad Reza Naqdi, former commander of the Basij, Ismail Ahmadi Moghadam, former police chief, as well as Sadegh Larijani, head of the judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, first deputy head of the judiciary, Saeed Mortazavi, former prosecutor of Tehran, and several judges of the revolutionary courts. On the other hand, Reuters reports that the EU is divided over the imposition of further sanctions against Iran to persuade Donald Trump to remain in the JCPOA. According to the news agency, while France is calling for sanctions related to ballistic missiles and Iran's regional activities, Italy is among those opposing further sanctions. Italy fears that additional sanctions could hinder European companies' investments in Iran. Italy has also stated that if further sanctions are imposed on Iran, there is no guarantee that Donald Trump, the U.S. President, will not withdraw from the JCPOA. EU foreign ministers are scheduled to discuss this matter on Monday in Luxembourg. Decisions regarding sanctions require the unanimous vote of all members of the union. While the UK and Germany support France's position on Iran, Italy, Spain, and Austria oppose further sanctions against Iran. The EU's human rights sanctions are the only remaining sanctions against Iran, which were extended on Thursday until April 2019.