The European Union has imposed fresh sanctions on Iran, targeting individuals and institutions involved in what it describes as state-driven detention of EU nationals. In a decisive move announced on Monday, EU foreign ministers approved punitive measures against seven Iranian officials and two Iranian organizations accused of playing key roles in the imprisonment of European citizens under politically motivated charges.

According to diplomats, the sanctions aim to respond to what the EU views as a pattern of “state-sponsored hostage-taking” by Tehran—where foreign nationals, particularly dual citizens, are detained and used as leverage in diplomatic negotiations. The list, reviewed by Reuters, includes high-ranking figures such as judges, judicial officials, and the head of Tehran's notorious Evin prison—a facility widely criticized for human rights abuses. Additionally, the main prison in Shiraz was sanctioned, pointing to a broader network involved in these detentions.

The EU's message is clear: using human lives as bargaining chips will not be tolerated. These sanctions are not only punitive but also symbolic, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to defending its citizens and standing against coercive tactics in international relations. The measures typically involve asset freezes and travel bans, sending a warning to those within Iran’s justice and security apparatus that Europe is watching—and willing to act.