New European Sanctions on Iran

The European Union imposed a new package of sanctions on Iran on Monday due to human rights violations, adding eight individuals and one entity to the sanctions list. The EU stated in a press release that "in particular, the Council (of the EU) is imposing sanctions on members of the judiciary who issued death sentences in unfair trials and for their role in the torture of the convicted." Overall, EU sanctions currently apply to 204 individuals and 34 entities in Iran. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters earlier today: "We want to make it clear that no one is above the law, and therefore we will impose a sixth package of sanctions here in Brussels." For its part, the UK announced that it has imposed sanctions on senior officials of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, including individuals it claims are responsible for managing the financial investments of these forces. Earlier today, a UN-appointed expert before the Human Rights Council confirmed that Iranian authorities have committed violations in recent months that may amount to crimes against humanity, citing cases of deliberate killings, imprisonment, enforced disappearances, torture, rape, sexual violence, and persecution.