Iran retaliates against EU and UK with sanctions

New punitive measures include blocking bank transactions and barring those sanctioned from entering Iran

The country is struggling economic problems from high inflation and unemployment rates as well as Us and EU sanctions over nuclear deal with world powers. AP

Iran has imposed sanctions on 34 British and European people and entities in response to similar measures taken over Tehran's crackdown on months-long protests.

The sanctions include punitive financial measures, including blocking accounts and transactions in Iran's banking systems, as well as the “prohibition of visa issuance and entry” to the country, the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement.

The measures come two days after the EU and Britain placed yet another round of sanctions on Iran, which has been rocked by protests since the September 16 death of Mahsa Amini.

Ms Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, died in police custody after being arrested over wearing her hijab “inappropriately”.

Tehran accuses the sanctioned people and entities of “supporting terrorism and terrorist groups, instigating and encouragement to terrorist acts, and violence against Iranian people”.

It also accuses them of “interference in the domestic affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and fomenting violence and unrest”.

The sanctions list 25 people and entities from the EU and nine from the UK.

France's Radio J, European Friends of Israel and 22 people, including six members of the European Parliament, are among those affected.

The list also includes Swedish-Danish right-wing politician Rasmus Paludan, who burnt a copy of the Quran in Sweden on Saturday, sparking protests across the Muslim world.

Iran also placed sanctions on the British think tank The Henry Jackson Society (HJS), for its support for domestic protesters, as well as efforts to stop Iranian nuclear proliferation and global terrorism.

“The Henry Jackson Society wears Iran’s decision to sanction us with pride, as it reflects this regime’s desperation to try and stop those — at home and abroad — who are fighting for a free, democratic and peaceful Iran,” said Executive Director Dr Alan Mendoza.

“We hope the UK government takes note of Tehran’s attempt to silence pro-democracy voices and moves quickly to proscribe Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, whose nefarious activities should be deemed illegal here immediately,” he added.

Iran had warned of reciprocal action on Tuesday, after the EU imposed its fourth round of sanctions against the country since the protests started, freezing the assets of 37 more officials and barring them from obtaining visas.

Britain on the same day sanctioned five more Iranian officials, broadening its blacklist to 50 people and organisations it considers to be involved in the crackdown.