EU agrees new Iran sanctions over alleged rights violation, Russia drone delivery

The European Union's foreign ministers have agreed to impose new sanctions on a number of Iranian individuals and entities over alleged crackdown on recent riots and drone deliveries to Russia for use in the Ukraine war.

According to a statement issued by the EU foreign ministers, 20 individuals along with one entity -- the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting -- have been sanctioned over alleged human rights abuses, while four more people and as many entities blacklisted over the issue of drones.

The bloc's new sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans to the EU.

The ministers condemned what they called the “widespread” use of force by the Iranian authorities against rioters.

The new sanctions came after Iran imposed a round of sanctions on dozens of the EU and British officials and entities over their support and instigation of recent deadly riots in the country and their meddlesome statements about the Islamic Republic’s internal developments and support for terror in Iran.

The EU foreign ministers also criticized Iran over claims of drone deliveries to Russia and alleged such weapons are being used by Russia against Ukrainian civilian population and infrastructure.

Both Iran and Russia have repeatedly denied claims that Tehran has provided Moscow with drones to be used in the Ukraine war.

The European Union last month imposed sanctions on a number of Iranian institutions and individuals, including the 24-hour English-language Press TV, over alleged “rights violations” following the recent foreign-backed riots in the country.

MG