In this photo released on Aug 11, 2022 by the Iranian foreign ministry, ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani speaks in Tehran, Iran. (IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY VIA AP)
TEHRAN / BRUSSELS – The Iranian foreign ministry on Tuesday strongly condemned the latest EU and British sanctions against Iranian individuals and organizations.
Nasser Kanaani, the ministry spokesman, said in a press release that the sanctions are baseless and illegal, constituting interference in Iran's internal affairs.
Nasser Kanaani, the ministry spokesman, said in a press release that the sanctions are baseless and illegal, constituting interference in Iran's internal affairs
Iran will respond proportionately to such non-constructive and futile measures, he added.
A day earlier, the European Union and Britain imposed sanctions against Iran in a coordinated action.
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The British government announced a new package of sanctions, targeting 24 Iranian officials for what it called human rights violations.
The EU sanctions were slapped on 29 individuals and three organizations in Iran, including Iran's interior minister and several senior police and military officials over the use of force against those protesting over the death of Mahsa Amini.
The death of the 22-year-old Iranian woman made international headlines in October and triggered social unrest and fierce protests across Iran, killing scores of people.
The EU had already issued sanctions against those believed to be responsible for Amini's death: Iran's Morality Police and two of its key figures, Mohammad Rostami and Hajahmad Mirzaei.
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On Monday, the EU announced fresh sanctions, which include travel bans and asset freezes on 29 Iranian individuals and three entities.
The list includes the four members of the squad that arbitrarily arrested Amini, the provincial heads of the Iranian Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) and of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), as well as Brigadier General Kiyumars Heidari, the commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Forces.
The EU has also designated Iranian state television broadcaster Press TV responsible for producing and broadcasting the forced confessions of detainees and listed Vahid Mohammad Naser Majid, head of the Iranian Cyber Police.
The EU also designated Iran's Minister of Interior Ahmad Vahidi, who is also in charge of the LEF.
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