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PARIS, Dec 8 (Reuters) – The European Union is ready to agree new sanctions concentrating on Iran over human rights abuses in its crackdown on protesters within the nation and the availability of drones to Russia, France’s overseas ministry spokesperson mentioned on Thursday.
Talking to reporters, Anne-Claire Legendre mentioned overseas ministers would talk about new designations on people and entities concerned within the crackdown and entities exporting drones to Russia.
Iran has mentioned it shipped a small variety of drones to Russia earlier than its invasion to Ukraine. Russia has denied its forces have used Iranian drones to assault Ukraine.
The EU has already imposed two rounds of sanctions since October within the type of asset freezes and journey bans.
The protests, triggered by the Sept. 16 dying of Kurdish Iranian girl Mahsa Amini whereas in morality police custody, mark one of many boldest challenges to the Islamic Republic for the reason that 1979 revolution.
Up to now, 341 demonstrators have been killed within the unrest and greater than 15,800 detained, in keeping with the activist HRANA information company.
Western powers have additionally mentioned that they proceed to see provision of Iranian drones to Russia and imagine Tehran may also quickly provide ballistic missiles.
Two diplomatic sources mentioned the brand new sanctions have been anticipated to be permitted and adopted on Monday. One of many sources mentioned 21 people and one entity can be sanctioned over human rights abuses, whereas there had been 10 proposals on the drone facet.
Some nations had additionally expressed concern over the doable switch of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia, the diplomat mentioned.
Reporting by John Irish and Sabine Siebold; Modifying by Crispian Balmer
Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Rules.
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