Sanctioned by the EU, Iran suspends its "cooperation" with the 27 in several areas
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran on December 2, 2020. AP
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Tehran announced on Monday that it was suspending cooperation in several areas with the European Union, hours after EU sanctions against eight Iranian security officials for their role in the violent repression of protests in the country in November 2019.
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The European Union has decided to extend until April 13, 2022 the restrictive measures imposed since 2011 in response to serious human rights violations in Iran, and on Monday added eight people and three entities to this list of sanctions in because of their role in suppressing the
November 2019
protests
in Iran
.
The list now includes a total of 89 people and 4 entities.
The eight new sanctioned are the commanders of the Iranian militia, police and special forces and the former director of Evin prison.
The three entities are the prisons of Evin, Fashafouyeh and Rajaee Shah.
The sanctions consist of a travel ban and an asset freeze.
The bloc of Twenty-Seven also bans the export to Iran of equipment likely to be used for internal repression and telecommunications surveillance equipment.
In addition, EU citizens and businesses are prohibited from making funds available to listed individuals and entities.
At least 1,500 people were killed in just under two weeks of
protests
that began on November 15, 2019, according to a report provided to Reuters by three officials from the Iranian Interior Ministry at the time.
Thousands of people had been arrested.
A surprise rise in the price of gasoline sparked major protests.
Very quickly, the protest reached the capital and turned into an uprising against the regime.
Tehran suspends extended dialogue with Europeans
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman strongly condemned European Union decision, calling it worthless, reports Tehran correspondent
Siavosh Ghazi
Saïd Khatibzadeh added that in reaction, the Islamic Republic decided to suspend the extended dialogue with Europeans, in particular on human rights and all cooperation on terrorism, the fight against drug trafficking and refugees.
He also said Iran would decide on reciprocal sanctions against European officials.
These sanctions come at a sensitive time.
Indeed, European diplomacy is trying to mediate between Iran and the United States to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement.
Of
talks
began in Vienna to find a solution that will allow the lifting of US sanctions and the return of the United States in the nuclear deal.
In return, Iran will have to limit its nuclear program again.
These new sanctions could complicate relations between Europeans and Iran.
► To read also: Iranian nuclear: Tehran launches new centrifuges in full talks
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