Iran warns EU states against imposing sanctions over crackdown on protests

Iran has privately warned the European Union against imposing sanctions on Tehran over its violent crackdown on anti-government protests triggered by Mahsa Amini’s death, Politico reported on Thursday.

Iran has sent two separate letters – one to a group of EU ambassadors and another to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell – according to Politico.

“If Europe misses taking the nuances of the current situation into consideration, the ramification will be grave and the bilateral relations may not survive it,” the letter to the EU ambassadors warned.

EU capitals have vowed to move ahead regardless of any Iranian pressure, according to Politico. Iran’s warnings are a “lost cause” since there is “very strong unity and momentum,” Politico cited a senior European diplomat as saying.

EU countries have agreed sanctions on Iran and foreign ministers are to adopt them on October 17, AFP reported. Four EU diplomats told AFP that political agreement was reached Wednesday on the sanctions and that the foreign ministers’ meeting to be held in Luxembourg next Monday was to officialize them.

The latest European sanctions will land at a delicate moment, given that the EU plays a coordinating role in talks aimed at reviving Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.