EU sanctions 8 Iranians, an entity
On Monday, the European Council imposed sanctions on eight individuals and one entity over what it described as 'serious human rights violations' linked to Iran, including 'extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and transnational repression' targeting dissidents beyond its borders.
In a statement, the Council said the sanctioned parties were responsible for 'grave abuses' committed on behalf of Iranian state bodies abroad, particularly against individuals who voiced criticism of the Islamic Republic's policies. The measures were enacted under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.
At the center of the sanctions is the Zindashti Network, which the EU identified as a 'criminal organization connected to Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS).' The group is accused of orchestrating 'multiple acts of transnational repression,' including the assassination of Iranian dissidents abroad—some reportedly carried out within EU territory.
Sanctioned individuals include Naji Ibrahim Sharifi-Zindashti, labeled by the EU as an 'Iranian narcotics trafficker and organized crime boss,' and head of the Zindashti Network. His alleged accomplices — Abdulvahap Kocak, Ali Esfanjani, Ali Kocak, Ekrem Oztunc, and Nihat Asan — were cited for their involvement in the killings of Iranian dissident Mas'ud Molavi Vardanjani and Saeed Karimian, the owner of Persian-language broadcaster Gem TV.
The EU also listed Mohammed Ansari, Commander of Unit 840 of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, accusing him of 'ordering the assassination of journalists critical of the Islamic Republic.' Additionally, Reza Hamidiravari, an intelligence officer with the MOIS, was sanctioned for 'overseeing Naji Zindashti's MOIS-directed operations.'
Those named are now subject to an asset freeze, a prohibition on making funds or economic resources available to them directly or indirectly, and a travel ban within the European Union.
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In his July 7, 2025 interview with Tucker Carlson following the 12-day Israel-Iran war,[1] Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attempted to present Iran as a moderate and peace-seeking victim of American and Israeli aggression. However, a closer look at statements by Iranian regime officials and Iran's religious leadership exposes Iran as the exact opposite. July 7, 2025 Three main claims made by Pezeshkian in the interview were: Denial that Iran had ever backed an assassination attempt against President Trump, [2] along with denial that two Iranian grand ayatollahs had issued fatwas ordering the assassination of President Trump. [3] He said that "they have not issued decrees or fatwas against any individual or against Donald Trump," that "the meaning of this fatwa should not be construed or considered as a threat against an individual," and that it "has nothing to do with the Iranian government or to his eminence the Supreme Leader." 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Pezeshkian: Iran Has Never Backed An Assassination Attempt Against Trump Fact: Iranian regime officials have in recent years often expressed their commitment to assassinating President Trump, inter alia because of his decision to kill IRGC Qods Force commander Qassem Soleimani in January 2020 due to his direct responsibility for the deaths of many Americans. Furthermore, at the end of the 12-day Israel-Iran war, the Iranian religious establishment mobilized for this mission and two grand ayatollahs issued a fatwa explicitly requiring the Muslim public in Iran and in the West to act to kill Trump.[7] At the same time, clerics in the holy city of Qom in Iran also called for carrying out fatwas requiring Trump's killing.[8] Furthermore, the Iranian regime launched a new movement, the Blood Covenant, for killing Trump, and regime media outlets promoted it and its aim and raised over $40 million for this cause.[9] Source: accessed July 9, 2025. The following are MEMRI reports and clips about the above: Iranian Religious Establishment Declares Jihad Against President Trump For Threat To Khamenei That He Never Made, Calling For His Assassination: 'His Punishment Is Death'; 'His Blood Is Permitted'; This Is 'A Deed Warranting Enormous Reward' That 'Assures Paradise'; 'Every Cell Of The Resistance In the West Is Charged With Carrying Out This Sentence'; Over $42 Million 'Has Been Raised Online For Carrying Out This Assassination', July 9, 2025 Hossein Shariatmadari, 'Kayhan' Editor And Close Associate Of Supreme Leader Khamenei: 'The Day Is Not Far Off When A Few Bullets Will Be Fired Into Trump's Hollow Head To Avenge The Blood Of The Martyr [Qassem] Soleimani' – This Is A 'Religious And Islamic Principle' And Khamenei's 'Promise And Clear Position' Of Vengeance; 'Vengeance May Come At Any Possible Moment – We Are Ready, We Will Wait Until The Time Is Right', May 1, 2025 Iranian Regime Mouthpiece 'Kayhan' To Iranian President: 'Mr. Pezeshkian, Iran Has Planned, And Is Planning, To Assassinate Trump', March 4, 2025 Despite Iranian Foreign Ministry's Denials, Regime Mouthpiece Outlet 'Kayhan' Writes: Punishing The Murderers Of IRGC Qods Force Commander Qasem Soleimani Is Still On The Table; There Is No Guarantee That Trump Is Safe From Punishment, December 6, 2024 Reactions In Iran To Trump's Election Victory: 'The Return Of The Murderer'; 'The Sword Of Vengeance… Hovers Above Trump's Head'; 'America – The Great Satan'; 'Iran And The Resistance Axis Are Ready', November 8, 2024 Since The U.S.'s January 2020 Killing Of IRGC Qods Force Commander Qassem Soleimani, Iranian Regime Officials Have Reiterated Their Intent To Assassinate Trump In Retribution – But Today, Iran Denies Any Connection To The July 13 Assassination Attempt Against Him, July 17, 2024 'Kayhan' Editor Shariatmadari To Trump: The IRGC Will Take Revenge Against You Personally For Your Involvement In Killing Of Qods Force Commander Soleimani, October 8, 2020 Former Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Larijani: Our Islamic Scholars Have Issued a Fatwa Designating Trump as Someone Who Wages War against God – Any Muslim Might 'Do the Job', July 12, 2025. 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That's what it means. It means them now, and in past times." To view this clip on MEMRI TV, click here or below: Pezeshkian: "We Have Never Been After Developing A Nuclear Bomb, Not In The Past, Not Presently, Or In The Future... This Is In Contrast To... [Khamenei's] Fatwa... So It Is Religiously Forbidden For Us To Go After A Nuclear Bomb" Fact: With regard to developing nuclear weapons, documents from Iran's AMAD Project for developing nuclear weapons that were exposed in 2018 reveal that up until 2003, Iran was systemically working to develop a nuclear bomb and planning a nuclear warhead, carrying out simulations and neutron source testing, and conducting tests connected to vital components for nuclear weapons. 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