Iran's Foreign Ministry announced on Monday sanctions on 17 individuals and 4 entities based in the UK and the European Union for supporting terrorist groups, portraying the move as a response to recent European sanctions imposed against Iranian officials linked to crackdowns on nationwide protests.
“The tit-for-tat sanctions are imposed against some EU and UK individuals and legal entities for providing support for terrorism and terrorist groups, instigating and encouraging acts of terrorism and violence against the Iranian people, interference in Iran’s internal affairs and spreading violence and unrest across the country,” the Ministry said in a statement.
It also accused them of spreading lies and misinformation about Iran and participating in the exacerbation of oppressive sanctions against the country which Tehran sees as an example of “economic terrorism”.
Those targeted with sanctions include eight European lawmakers, mostly from France and Germany. The sanctions also targeted the German-Israeli Society, Deutsch-Israelische Gesellschaft, as well as Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Foundation UK, Admiral Benjamin John Key, a commander at the British Navy, Oliver Westmacott, President of AEGIS and Michelle Russel, head of the Security Industry Authority (SIA)
The exchange of sanctions came as talks to revive the 2015 Nuclear Deal between Iran and the six powers - the United States, Russia, France, China, Britain and Germany –are in “stalemate.”
Meanwhile, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee in the Iranian parliament, MP Seyed Ahmad Avaei told the Jamaran news site that the West feels Iran in a weak position and that Tehran will submit to its demands following the recent events in the country.
The deputy was referring to the protests that rocked Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini on 16 September.
He said the West wants to obtain the highest benefits from Iran during the talks to revive the 2015 Nuclear Deal.
The deputy was answering a question on whether the agreement to restore relations with Saudi Arabia has an impact on the nuclear talks.
Ahmad Avaei then said Iran can establish foreign relations, not only with Saudi Arabia, but also with the whole world, except Israel.
The deputy blamed “reckless” Iranian officials for the deterioration of Iran's foreign relations, especially with Riyadh.
