Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has clearly condemned Iran’s repression of peaceful protests. We have raised our concerns repeatedly with the Iranian Embassy in Dublin and with officials in Tehran. I also spoke with the Iranian Ambassador to Ireland on 20 January last.

Sanctions are an important tool of foreign policy, used to deter States from pursuing actions which threaten either international stability, or from harming citizens in their own country, including through violations of international human rights covenants.

At each EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting since October 2022, Ireland has supported the addition of individuals and entities to the EU’s Iran human rights sanctions regime, in connection to their involvement in the disproportionate use of force against, and deaths of, protestors.

The list was most recently expanded at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 24 April. Restrictive measures now apply to 211 individuals and 35 entities. They include asset freezes, EU travel bans and a ban on exports to Iran of equipment which might be used for internal repression. People listed include government officials and security forces members, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The Department of Foreign Affairs will continue to monitor developments in Iran, and to raise our concerns consistently and directly with the Iranian government. We will work closely with our EU partners to ensure there is a joint, coordinated, and clear response to the actions of the Iranian authorities. Further sanctions will be considered as the situation develops.