The European Union is actively preparing to impose more severe sanctions on Iran in response to the government’s violent suppression of nationwide protests, which have evolved into a significant challenge to the country’s theocratic establishment. EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni confirmed on Monday that the bloc stands ready to propose new measures following the escalating crackdown that has reportedly resulted in hundreds of casualties.
The unrest, now entering its third week, began as demonstrations against economic hardships but has transformed into one of the most substantial threats to Iran’s Islamic governance structure since the 1979 revolution. In a concerning development, Iranian authorities have maintained a comprehensive internet blackout exceeding 84 hours, which monitoring groups and activists believe aims to conceal the true extent of the violent response to protests.
Amid the crisis, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivered a dual message, stating that while the Islamic Republic ‘is not seeking war,’ it remains ‘fully prepared’ for military confrontation. Simultaneously, he expressed openness to negotiations conducted ‘with equal rights and based on mutual respect.’ This statement follows claims by former US President Donald Trump that Iranian leadership had contacted him seeking diplomatic discussions.
Independent organizations report alarming casualty figures, with Iran Human Rights confirming at least 192 protester deaths while acknowledging the actual toll could be significantly higher—potentially exceeding several hundred or even thousands according to some sources. The People’s Mujahedin (MEK) opposition group estimates over 3,000 fatalities, though these figures remain unverified due to communication restrictions.
The international dimension continues to intensify, with London protesters replacing the Iranian embassy flag with the pre-revolutionary banner featuring the Persian lion—an action that prompted Tehran to summon the British ambassador. Meanwhile, Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s deposed shah, has called on security forces and government employees to join the protest movement, signaling the deepening divisions within Iranian society.