European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas criticised what she described as the Iranian regime’s “brutal” suppression of protests, calling the actions intolerable and warning that the situation remains highly unpredictable. Speaking alongside German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Kallas said the EU was actively considering additional restrictive measures.

She noted that any new sanctions would likely focus on individuals directly involved in human rights abuses as well as activities linked to Iran’s nuclear programme. The EU has already imposed several rounds of sanctions on Iranian officials and entities in response to past crackdowns and concerns over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

Both Kallas and Pistorius stressed the EU’s support for Iranian civil society and reiterated that Iran’s future should be determined by its own people, free from violence and repression. They also called on Iranian authorities to respect fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

The remarks come amid sustained protests in Iran over economic hardship and political restrictions, as well as growing international alarm over the rising death toll and reports of mass arrests. Tehran has rejected foreign criticism, accusing Western countries of interfering in its internal affairs.

EU diplomats say discussions on potential new sanctions are ongoing, with any decision requiring consensus among member states. Analysts warn that further sanctions could deepen tensions between Europe and Iran, even as Brussels seeks to keep diplomatic channels open.