Iran sanctions 17 individuals, 4 entities based in UK, EU

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Apr 2023 19:31

In coordination with the United States, the United Kingdom and European Union impose further sanctions against Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps.

Flags of the UK and European Union seen ahead of the meeting of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in Brussels, Belgium, December 9, 2020 (Reuters)

In a tit-for-tat move, the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Monday announced sanctions against 17 individuals and four entities based in the UK and the European Union.

The Ministry indicated that the sanctioned individuals and entities supported terrorist groups, incited and encouraged terrorist acts and violence against the Iranian people, interfered in Iran's internal affairs, spread lies and propagated false information about the country, and participated in cruel sanctions against the Iranian people.

"Iran meanwhile condemns the act of the EU and the UK regime for supporting, facilitating and denying from countering the destructive acts of aforementioned individuals and entities and that is violation of international obligations regarding combatting terrorism," the Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed in a statement.

"All relevant national organizations and institutions of the Islamic Republic of Iran, consistent with the regulations adopted by the related authorities, will take appropriate measures, which are blocking of accounts and transactions in the Iranian financial and banking systems, blocking of assets within the jurisdiction of the Islamic Republic of Iran as well as prohibition of visa issuance and entry to the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, for effective implementation of the above-mentioned sanctions," the statement pointed out.

UK, EU impose sanctions against IRGC

In a related context, the UK and European Union on Monday also imposed further sanctions against Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC).

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced a travel ban and assets freeze on four individuals and the IRGC "in its entirety."

The EU added eight individuals, including a lawmaker, a regional IRGC commander, and officials at its investment arm, to its sanctions list.

The bloc also added mobile operator Ariantel to its sanctions list, accusing it of having helped Iranian authorities allegedly track down saboteurs during recent anti-Iran riots.

Cleverly indicated that the ban was made in coordination with the EU and the United States.

Since October 2022, more than 70 Iranian officials and entities have been made subject to UK asset freezes and travel bans.

Cleverly claimed that Iran "is responsible for the brutal repression of the Iranian people and for exporting bloodshed around the world."

"That's why we have more than 300 sanctions in place on Iran, including on the IRGC in its entirety," the British Foreign Secretary announced.

The 27-nation EU has imposed seven rounds of anti-Iran sanctions since the start of the Western-backed riots in the country.

The bloc has targeted more than 150 individuals, companies, and agencies.

It is noteworthy that in mid-January, members of the European Parliament demanded that the EU classify the IRGC as a "terrorist" organization.

However, in late February, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock indicated that German experts have found no legal grounds to justify such a move against the IRGC.

Tehran has previously condemned the European Parliament's resolution, with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian telling EU's Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell that the IRGC is a sovereign, state apparatus and plays an important role in securing Iranian national security, regional security, and fighting terrorism.

Amir-Abdollahian said the European Parliament's measure against the IRGC is akin to Europe shooting itself in the foot.

In the same context, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf had underlined that Iran would designate European armies as terrorists in case the EU blacklists the IRGC.

On January 23, Borrell pointed out that placing the IRGC on the "terrorist list" requires a judicial decision in one of the EU member states, saying, "It is something that cannot be decided without a court, a court decision first. You cannot say I consider you a terrorist because I don’t like you."