Following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the Iranian regime’s ‘morality’ police, Iranian citizens are engaging in the biggest demonstrations in the country since 2019. The unrest, which had been concentrated in Iran’s Kurdish-populated north-west, has now spread across Iran, reigniting anger over issues including restrictions on personal freedoms and rights.

The US-sanctioned Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the police and the Intelligence Ministry have tried to stem the freedom of expression of Iranian citizens and their right to protest by cutting communications in the country and using deadly force to disperse protestors – with over 40 dead so far. Meanwhile, the EU has recently proposed relaxing the sanctions on Iran’s IRGC[1] in an attempt to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The United States has moved quickly to sanction Iran’s morality police, accusing them of abuse and violence against Iranian women and violating the rights of peaceful Iranians[2].

• Is the EU planning on taking action and placing sanctions on the morality police?
• Given the role the IRGC plays in Iran’s internal oppression and external aggression, does the VP/HR believe sanctioning the IRGC would be in line with the EU’s values and interests?

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell i Fontelles on behalf of the European Commission