Iran’s Foreign Ministry signaled it would respond to the European Union with reciprocal measures after Brussels announced new sanctions targeting a number of Iranian officials and entities. The official spokesman for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Kanaani, stated that Tehran would soon publish its own sanctions in retaliation for the EU’s latest restrictions.
The statement came as the European Union broadened its Personal Sanctions regime, extending punitive measures against individuals and organizations linked to the suppression of protests inside Iran. Among those named were Mohamed Ismaili, the Culture Minister accused of pressuring artists who refused to back government policy, and Yousef Nuri, the Education Minister implicated in alleged abuses of students.
Reports from Iranian media noted that the EU sanctions also targeted commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other Iranian officials, widening the scope of the restrictive actions. The measures include asset freezes, travel bans, and prohibitions on providing financial resources to those listed, effectively restricting their access to European markets and financial networks.
EU authorities confirmed that the package affects a large group of individuals and entities. In total, the sanctions cover hundreds of people and dozens of organizations, aiming to pressure Tehran over ongoing domestic policies and actions. The measures reflect a broader pattern of international responses to human rights concerns and political repression raised by European policymakers and allied states. The situation continues to evolve as both sides coordinate their public positions and possible further steps for escalation or de-escalation, depending on subsequent diplomatic developments.
The international community watches closely as Tehran evaluates the implications of the EU’s sanctions. Analysts note that reciprocal moves by Iran could affect regional diplomacy, trade channels, and regional security dynamics. Observers emphasize that the dialogue remains fragile and contingent on how both parties proceed in the coming weeks and months, as they balance rhetoric with potential negotiations and practical consequences for residents, students, and cultural institutions affected by the sanctions.
Citations: European Union policy statements on sanctions; official Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs communications; regional security analyses from policy institutes and news agencies.