Relations between European countries and Iran are worsening against the background of worsening human rights violations in Iran and Iran’s involvement in the war in Ukraine. European countries have imposed sanctions on Iran, which is threatening countermeasures that will lead to escalation. The renewal of negotiations on the nuclear agreement is no longer in sight.
In recent months, there has been a deterioration in the relations of European countries with Iran following several international developments.
The deterioration began following the stalemate in the nuclear talks in Vienna and intensified after the Iranian involvement in the war in Ukraine which was reflected in massive Iranian aid to Russia with missiles and drones for the war in Ukraine.
The deterioration in European countries’ relations with Iran began following the stalemate in the nuclear talks in Vienna and intensified after Iran’s involvement in the war in Ukraine, which manifested itself in massive Iranian aid to Russia with missiles and drones
In addition to this, the Iranians arrested several European citizens in Tehran on suspicion of being involved in the proliferation of demonstrations against the regime, and mainly because of the brutal suppression of the “Hijab Protest” demonstrations by the Iranian security forces, under the direction of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran openly accused the US, Israel and the UK of being behind the protests.
Europe decided to take action and on January 23 announced a series of sanctions it is imposing on individuals and organizations in Iran.
On January 24, Iran condemned the new sanctions imposed on it by the European Union and Great Britain and promised that it would respond to them.
The sanctions were imposed on 37 senior Iranian officials and organizations, including units of the “Revolutionary Guards”, who were accused of brutally suppressing the demonstrations in Iran and violating human rights and also because of Iran’s military aid to Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Britain imposed sanctions on the “Revolutionary Guards” because of the execution of Ali Reza Akbari, the former Iranian defense aide and a British citizen, who was convicted of espionage.
The European sanctions were imposed on 37 senior Iranian officials and organizations, who were accused of brutally suppressing the demonstrations in Iran and violating human rights and also because of Iran’s military aid to Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Britain imposed sanctions over the execution of Ali Reza Akbari, the former Iranian assistant defense minister convicted of espionage pic.twitter.com/VqwRC742XH— Yoni ben Menachem yoni ben menachem (@yonibmen) January 24, 2023
These sanctions are part of the European countries’ response to the brutal Iranian suppression of the “Hijab Protest” demonstrations and the executions of some of the demonstrators. In the protests that have been going on for 4 months, between 400 and 500 people have been killed and the protest is still ongoing.
The sanctions are part of the European countries’ response to the brutal Iranian suppression of the “hijab protest” and the executions of some of the demonstrators. In the protests, which have been going on for 4 months, between 400 and 500 people have been killed and the protest continues
In response, Iran intends to announce a list of sanctions on its part against “human rights violators” in the European Union and the United Kingdom.
On January 19, the European Parliament called on the 27 member states of the European Union to add Iran’s “Revolutionary Guards” to the European Union’s terrorist list in view of the severe violation of human rights in Iran.
The US has already declared Iran’s “Revolutionary Guards” a terrorist organization and imposed unprecedented sanctions on them.
Iran warned the European Union that imposing such sanctions on the “Revolutionary Guards” would be a grave mistake on its part, Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdel-Lahyan spoke with Joseph Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy and security commissioner, and told him that the call of the European Parliament is ” A shot in the foot of Europe itself.”
However, it seems that there is a dispute within the European Union that is delaying the inclusion of the “Revolutionary Guards” in the list of terrorist organizations.
Joseph Burrell says on January 23 that this step requires a decision by a court in one of the EU member states. Is he clinging to a legal argument because of fear of the Iranian reaction or is there indeed a justification for delaying the decision? This is not clear.
In any case, the effect of EU sanctions is limited.
Iran has warned the European Union against imposing sanctions. The Iranian Foreign Minister told the Commissioner for Foreign and Security Policy of the Union that calling the European Parliament is “a shot in the legs of Europe itself”
The “Revolutionary Guards” do not have offices in Western countries, but declaring them a terrorist organization will focus the spotlight on the organizations in the West that have connections with Iranian embassies and are suspected of being related to the “Revolutionary Guards”.
The heads of the “Revolutionary Guards” do not have money in banks abroad or real estate registered in their name, but these sanctions can be used to persecute their family members and relatives staying abroad, especially those who want to study at universities abroad.
Iranians have ways to circumvent these sanctions by establishing straw companies in Western countries.
The Iranian response
Several Iranian members of parliament have already announced that if the European Union includes the “Revolutionary Guards” in the terrorist list, there will be several possible reactions.
A. Iranian declaration of EU armies as “terrorist organizations”.
B. Iran will withdraw from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
third. Iran’s cooperation with the inspectors of the Atomic Energy Agency will be frozen.
d. The movement of civilian and military ships of the European Union in the waters of the Straits of Hormuz will be disrupted.
Iran threatens to take measures against Europe
A. Iranian declaration of EU armies as terrorist organizations.
B. Withdrawal from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
C. Iran’s cooperation with the inspectors of the Atomic Energy Agency will be frozen.
D. The movement of civilian and military ships of the European Union in the waters of the Straits of Hormuz will be disrupted. pic.twitter.com/U0zreKfz4I— Yoni ben Menachem yoni ben menachem (@yonibmen) January 24, 2023
It seems that the sanctions imposed by the European Union on Iran are the result of massive American pressure, which is trying to neutralize Iranian military aid to Russia.
It is very doubtful whether the sanctions will achieve this goal or deter the Iranian regime in regards to the brutal suppression of the demonstrations, this regime has already gotten used to the sanctions imposed by the West over the years on Iran and has learned how to live with them.
The heads of the “Revolutionary Guards” have no money in banks abroad or real estate in their name, but their families and relatives staying abroad can be persecuted through the sanctions, especially those who want to study in universities abroad
It is quite possible that these sanctions will only make Iran tighten its ties with Russia.
In any case, we have to wait and see what the next steps will be from Iran’s side. One thing is clear, the chances of reviving the nuclear agreement between Iran and the powers are diminishing day by day. Iran is a member of the axis of Russia and China and is in a frontal conflict with the USA and Europe.
It seems that the sanctions imposed by the European Union on Iran are the result of massive American pressure that is trying to neutralize Iranian military aid to Russia.
It is very doubtful whether the sanctions will achieve this goal or deter the Iranian regime in regards to the brutal suppression of the protests. pic.twitter.com/7w3IkmakS4— Yoni ben Menachem yoni ben menachem (@yonibmen) January 24, 2023
meanings
The declaration of the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization and the imposition of sanctions on them means that anyone who belongs to them will be considered in the Western countries as having committed a criminal offense.
The declaration of the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization and the imposition of sanctions on them means that anyone who belongs to them will be considered in the Western countries as having committed a criminal offense
Iranians have ways to circumvent these sanctions by establishing straw companies in Western countries.