BRUSSELS, Jan 29 – The European Union has escalated pressure on Iran by approving a fresh round of sanctions targeting senior figures linked to a violent suppression of nationwide protests. The measures include penalties against 15 Iranian officials, among them high ranking commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a powerful force at the center of Iran’s political and security system. EU leaders say the decision reflects growing alarm over the scale of violence used against demonstrators and signals a turning point in Europe’s approach toward Tehran.
The move comes after months of unrest inside Iran, where economic hardship, political frustration, and demands for greater freedoms have triggered widespread protests. Human rights groups report that thousands have been killed and tens of thousands detained, making the current crackdown one of the deadliest in Iran’s modern history.
Sanctions Decision
EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels agreed unanimously to expand sanctions, freezing assets and imposing travel bans on individuals and entities accused of orchestrating or enabling the crackdown. According to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, the bloc could no longer ignore what she described as systematic violence against civilians. In public remarks shared through official EU channels, Kallas said regimes that turn their weapons on their own population undermine their own legitimacy and stability.
Alongside the individual sanctions, the EU formally moved to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. This decision places the Guard in the same legal category as internationally recognized extremist groups, a step that carries strong political symbolism even if its immediate practical impact is limited. EU officials acknowledged that the designation sends a message that Europe sees the Guard not just as a military institution but as an actor using terror style tactics against civilians.
Several European governments had previously expressed reservations. France, for example, had raised concerns that such a designation could jeopardize the safety of European citizens detained in Iran or further complicate diplomatic engagement. French Foreign Minister Jean Noël Barrot later confirmed that Paris ultimately backed the decision, arguing that crimes committed during the crackdown could not go unanswered and that accountability must remain central to European policy.
Analysts say the move reflects frustration within the EU after years of attempted dialogue with Tehran. Kristina Kausch of the German Marshall Fund described the designation as largely symbolic but politically significant, signaling that European leaders now prioritize isolation and containment over engagement. While diplomatic ties have not been severed, she noted that labeling a core state institution as terrorist brings relations close to a breaking point.
Regional Risks
The sanctions decision unfolds against a backdrop of rising regional tension and military posturing. Iranian officials have warned that further pressure could provoke a strong response, including potential strikes against US military assets in the Middle East or against Israel. Iranian authorities also issued maritime warnings indicating plans for live fire naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which roughly one fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
Such drills have historically raised concerns among global energy markets and naval forces operating in the region. Iranian state aligned media outlets framed the exercise as a show of strength, with some commentary suggesting that Tehran could close the strait if threatened. Western defense analysts have repeatedly warned that any attempt to block the waterway would almost certainly trigger a military response from the United States and its allies.
The United States has already increased its military presence in the region, moving aircraft carriers and guided missile destroyers closer to the Gulf. While Washington has not confirmed plans for direct action, US officials have publicly stated that attacks on peaceful demonstrators and reports of mass executions are being closely monitored.
Inside Iran, officials have announced long term plans to build bomb shelters and expand civil defense infrastructure in major cities, including Tehran. At the same time, opposition figures such as former prime minister Mir Hossein Mousavi have renewed calls for a constitutional referendum, arguing that only structural political change can address the crisis. Similar calls in the past have been suppressed or ignored by authorities.
Death Toll
Human rights organizations based outside Iran report a staggering death toll from the recent unrest. One US based monitoring group with a long track record of documenting Iranian protests says at least 6,373 people have been killed, including protesters, children, and civilians not directly involved in demonstrations. The same group estimates that more than 42,000 people have been arrested, many of whom face uncertain legal proceedings.
These figures contrast sharply with official Iranian government statements, which place the death toll at just over 3,100. Iranian authorities have claimed that a significant portion of those killed were terrorists or violent actors, a characterization strongly disputed by activists and independent observers. Communication blackouts and restrictions on journalists have made independent verification extremely difficult, though past unrest suggests that official numbers often understate casualties.
The Revolutionary Guard has played a central role in the crackdown, particularly through its Basij militia. Formed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Guard was designed to protect the clerical system of government and has since grown into a vast political and economic force. During the protests, video footage shared via satellite internet connections appears to show armed units firing on crowds and beating demonstrators, reinforcing accusations of excessive and unlawful force.
Iran’s economy, already strained by years of international sanctions, has deteriorated further amid the unrest. The national currency recently fell to a historic low of around 1.6 million rials to the US dollar, fueling inflation and public anger. Economic grievances initially sparked the protests, but demands quickly expanded to include broader political reforms.