Europe Pressures Iran… Sanctions for Hostages

15th April 2025

1 minute read

Europe Pressures Iran... Sanctions for Hostages

The European Union is exerting significant pressure on Iranian authorities to release a large number of prisoners who hold the nationalities of EU member states.

Diplomats said that on Monday, EU foreign ministers imposed sanctions on seven individuals and two Iranian entities due to the detention of nationals from EU countries.

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The European bloc views the detention of hostages from EU member states as a “policy adopted by Tehran.”

France, which has two of its citizens detained by Iran under conditions Paris describes as “akin to torture,” is leading efforts to increase pressure on Tehran regarding the issue.

Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told lawmakers a few days ago, “In order to secure their release, we will intensify pressure on the Iranian regime.”

He added, “On Monday, we will adopt additional European sanctions against Iranian officials involved in the state’s hostage-taking policy,” without specifying their number.

In recent years, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, most of them on charges related to espionage and security.

Iran, which does not recognize dual nationality, denies holding prisoners for diplomatic gains.

For years, the European Union has consistently imposed sanctions on Iran under various headings, including “crackdown on protests,” “supplying arms to Russia,” “the nuclear program,” and, more recently, the issue of detainees.