New batch of Iran sanctions underway: German Foreign Ministry

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
7 Nov 2022 16:58

German sources reveal that the EU is currently considering 31 additional proposals for further sanctions.

The German Federal Foreign Office

A spokesperson from Germany's Foreign Office said on Monday that discussions are being held in the EU for the elaboration of a new package of sanctions against Iran over its alleged crackdown on protesters.

"I can confirm that negotiations about this package are indeed underway at the EU level… The talks are very constructive but I cannot give any details, including the time frame," Andrew Sasse told reporters.

Last week, Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz published a Tweet in which he announced the EU's consideration to issue sanctions against Iran.

The Tweet reads, "I am shocked that people who are peacefully demonstrating at protests in Iran are dying. We condemn the disproportionate use of force by the security forces and stand by the people of Iran. Our EU sanctions are important. We are examining further steps."

Es bestürzt mich, dass bei den Protesten im #Iran friedlich demonstrierende Menschen ums Leben kommen. Wir verurteilen die unverhältnismäßige Gewalt der Sicherheitskräfte und stehen den Menschen im Iran bei. Unsere EU-Sanktionen sind wichtig. Wir prüfen weitere Schritte.
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) October 31, 2022

On October 17, the EU Council published a statement that read that the EU had "added eleven individuals and four entities to the list of those subject to restrictive measures," which consists of a "travel ban and an asset freeze."

"In addition, EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to the listed individuals and entities. The Iran human rights sanctions regime also includes a ban on exports to Iran of equipment which might be used for internal repression and of equipment for monitoring telecommunications," the statement read.

According to the German magazine Der Spiegel, the EU is currently considering 31 additional proposals for further sanctions.

Ever since Iran gained complete autonomy following its 1979 revolution, the country has been the target of excruciating sanctions from the West.

Despite that Iran offered to help the EU with its energy needs, the bloc has instead aimed at sabotaging the Iranian revolution by sending spies, foreign agents, and commissioning dissidents to disrupt the country's domestic affairs.

On October 2, the Shura council confirmed that over 45,000 foreign intelligence servicepersons were behind the riots, mostly from western countries, and possessed evidence to back its claims.

On October 31, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani slammed the EU and Canada for their provocative measures that contributed to the rise in tensions and riots in the Islamic Republic.

Kanaani called them out over their unwarranted interference and unconstructive, irresponsible acts, as they did not permit any leeway for peaceful criticism to be heard - by exploiting the excuse of democracy to ignite riots in Iran.

Just yesterday, Iranian sources reported that the IRGC dismantled a terrorist band in the southwestern province of Khuzestan in Iran. The group was found to be backed by an EU country.