European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas held a press conference on Tuesday to announce a proposed ban on Iran’s export of key drone and missile technologies. President von der Leyen, currently attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, stated on X that the European Union has already implemented broad sanctions against Iran due to various violations, including human rights abuses, breaches of nuclear proliferation norms, and support for Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine.
HR Kallas further confirmed the proposal for additional sanctions targeting drone and missile technology exports during a debate on Iran at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Kallas explained that the new restrictions would pertain to the components Iran could potentially use to manufacture drones or missiles. She expressed her conviction that these measures would significantly impair Iran’s capacity to support the Russian arms sector.
Additionally, both leaders revealed that the Commission is in the process of formulating new sanctions in response to the Iranian regime’s harsh repression of protesters. Chief Kallas remarked, “We are currently actively exploring what further action we could take.”
She emphasised that the recent violent crackdown on protests is merely the latest instance of the Iranian authorities’ concerning actions. Kallas detailed additional alarming behaviours exhibited by the regime in Tehran, including illegal nuclear activities, support for Russia, backing terrorist organisations across the Middle East, executing hybrid attacks on European territory, and detaining European citizens.
Protests in Iran started in late December 2025, fueled by economic issues, notably a sharp decline in the rial’s value. The demonstrations quickly became political and spread nationwide. According to a report by the Associated Press, the death toll from the Iranian government’s crackdown on these mass protests has reached at least 3,919, based on estimates from activists. Reuters cites at least 5,000 deaths, including around 500 security officers. Some sources suggest the total could reach 20,000.
