Iran's foreign ministry building in Tehran
Iran's has sanctioned European Union officials and entities over their alleged “support for terrorism and violation of human rights against the people of Iran.”
In a statement published Monday, the foreign ministry listed four institutions and 13 individuals in the United Kingdom for their “deliberate actions in supporting terrorism..., hatred that causes riots, violence, terrorist acts, and human rights violations against the Iranian people.”
Some of the sanctioned individuals include Ken McCallum, Director General of the UK’s domestic spy agency MI5, as well as Chief of the Defense Staff Tony Radakin.
In a separate statement, the Iranian foreign ministry also announced sanctions on several EU officials and entities including Radio Farda, the Persian Service of Radio Free Europe in Prague, Netherlands-based Persian Radio Zamaneh, and Charlie Hebdo magazine.
Some current and former EU politicians including Hannah Neumann and Claudia Roth are also included in the list.
The sanctions include ban on issuing visas and entering Iran and confiscation of their property and assets in Iran, which would affect Iranian expats working for the two broadcasters.
The UK and European countries have been vocal critics of Iran’s crackdown on protestors, issuing multiple rounds of sanctions against the Islamic republic.
The sanctions coincide with Iran carrying out its second execution over the protests. Majidreza Rahnavard, 23, was publicly hanged Monday for allegedly stabbing two members of Basij militia in the city of Mashhad.
European Union foreign ministers on Monday condemned Iran for its crackdown on anti-government protests, moving ahead with a new package of sanctions meant to raise pressure on Tehran.