Brussels: The European Union has announced a new round of sanctions against several Iranian officials and a prominent cyber security figure, saying they were involved in serious human rights violations and efforts to suppress freedom of expression in Iran. The latest measures are part of the bloc's continuing response to what it describes as the Iranian government's crackdown on political dissent, civil society and online freedoms.
The sanctions, approved by the European Council on Friday, target six Iranian judges accused of issuing harsh rulings against protesters, journalists, activists and other government critics. The European Union has also imposed sanctions on Nima Salehi, a leading member of the Ashiyane Digital Security cyber group, which the bloc says has played a role in helping Iranian authorities monitor, censor and restrict online activities.
Under the sanctions, all assets belonging to those listed that are held within the European Union will be frozen. The individuals are also banned from travelling to EU member states, while European citizens and businesses are prohibited from making funds or economic resources available to them.
The European Union said the measures were introduced because of the continued deterioration of human rights in Iran. European officials accused the sanctioned judges of taking part in legal proceedings that resulted in unfair trials, lengthy prison sentences and other punishments against people exercising their rights to peaceful protest and free expression.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc remained committed to holding accountable those responsible for serious human rights abuses. She said the European Union would continue to respond to actions that undermine fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.
The inclusion of Nima Salehi marks another step in the EU's growing focus on cyber activities linked to state repression. According to European officials, the Ashiyane Digital Security group has supported Iran's efforts to strengthen internet censorship, monitor digital communications and limit the spread of information during periods of public unrest.
Human rights organisations have repeatedly accused Iranian authorities of using digital surveillance and internet restrictions to identify protesters and disrupt communication during demonstrations. European officials argue that cyber tools have become an increasingly important part of the country's internal security strategy.
The latest sanctions add to an already extensive list of restrictive measures imposed by the European Union on Iran over alleged human rights violations. With the new additions, the EU has sanctioned hundreds of Iranian individuals and dozens of organisations under its human rights sanctions regime. These measures remain separate from sanctions linked to Iran's nuclear programme or its military activities.
Relations between Tehran and European capitals have remained strained in recent years. The European Union has repeatedly criticised Iran over its handling of anti government protests, arrests of activists, treatment of journalists and restrictions on internet access. The bloc has also expressed concern over reports of arbitrary detentions, the use of the death penalty and limitations on judicial independence.
At the same time, European governments continue to engage with Iran on issues such as regional security and nuclear diplomacy. However, officials in Brussels have maintained that human rights concerns will continue to be addressed independently through targeted sanctions.
Iran has consistently rejected similar sanctions imposed by the European Union, the United States and other Western countries. Tehran argues that its judiciary and security agencies operate in accordance with national laws and that foreign governments are interfering in its domestic affairs. Iranian officials have also dismissed accusations of systematic human rights abuses, describing many of the allegations as politically motivated.
The latest sanctions come at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and several Western nations, with disagreements extending beyond human rights to include regional security, cyber activities and broader geopolitical issues. While the new measures are unlikely to alter relations immediately, they underline the European Union's continued effort to pressure Iranian officials it believes are responsible for abuses, while signalling that individuals linked to both the judiciary and cyber operations will remain under close international scrutiny.