EU imposes sanctions on Iran over citizens detention

The European Union has imposed fresh sanctions on Iran, targeting seven senior Iranian officials and two state-run organisations in response to the continued detention of EU citizens.

The move, approved by EU foreign ministers on Monday, marks a significant escalation in Brussels’ stance against what it describes as “state-sponsored hostage-taking” by Tehran.

The sanctions, revealed by diplomats and detailed in documents seen by Reuters, include asset freezes and travel bans on key figures in Iran’s judiciary.

Among those listed is the director of Tehran’s Evin prison, a facility long criticised for its human rights abuses, and several judges accused of overseeing politically motivated trials against European nationals.

Also sanctioned is the main prison in Shiraz, reportedly involved in holding foreign detainees under harsh conditions.

EU officials said the action reflects growing alarm over Iran’s pattern of arresting dual and foreign nationals—often on vague national security charges—and using them as bargaining tools in diplomatic negotiations.

“The European Union will not tolerate the use of human lives as pawns,” an EU diplomat said, adding that further measures could follow if Iran fails to address the detentions.

Iran has yet to formally respond to the new sanctions. The country has previously denied allegations of hostage diplomacy, insisting its judiciary operates independently.

The EU’s latest action comes amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Western governments over Iran’s human rights record, nuclear programme, and regional activities.