Iran Condemns EU's Blacklisting of Officials
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson condemned the European Union’s move to blacklist several Iranian officials and institutions on a charge of “human rights violation”.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns this move and considers it invalid,” Saeed Khatibzadeh said in a statement on Monday.
“Such acts are committed by those who claim to be supporters of, and falsely preach (respect for) human rights with political motives, but they have not only remained silent in the face of violations of Iranian people’s rights due to the United States’ inhuman and illegal sanctions, but also approved of such violations," he said.
"Such acts are rejected and will further disgrace those who abuse lofty concepts such as human rights,” the spokesman added.
“In reaction to this EU move, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs suspends comprehensive talks with the European Union, including human rights discussion, and all cooperation thereof, especially in the domains of terrorism, narcotics and refugees,” Khatibzadeh noted.
“In reaction to this move by the European Union, the Islamic Republic of Iran is considering (imposing) reciprocal sanctions, which will be announced in due time,” he said, according to the Foreign Ministry’s official website.
His comments came after the European Union announced it has imposed sanctions ranging from travel bans to asset freezes on eight Iranian individuals, including the Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami, and three prisons on baseless human rights-related grounds.
