BRUSSELS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) is mulling proposing additional sanctions on Iran following a violent crackdown on protesters, a spokesperson said on Monday.
"We are appalled by the reports of casualties ... We stand ready to propose new, more severe sanctions following the violent crackdown on protesters," EU Foreign Affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni told a press conference.
He stated that the EU already has a "dedicatedly built framework" targeting perpetrators of serious human rights violations and abuses in Iran, under which a number of entities and individuals have been added over the years.
According to the spokesperson, the EU has listed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) under the Iran weapons of mass destruction sanctions regime, meaning it is subject to an asset freeze in the EU and a prohibition on making funds and economic resources available. The related individuals and entities are also listed.
El Anouni added that there will be an extraordinary meeting on Iran at the next Foreign Affairs Council meeting, scheduled for Jan. 29. The new sanction package would require unanimous agreement by member states in the Council of the EU. ■
