The European Commission (EC) is drawing up new sanctions on Iran due to the ongoing riot control operations in the nation and is completely in support of the protesters, EC President Ursula von der Leyen told the X.
Ursula von der Leyen showed her support for the rioters in Iran who were destroying property and killing police officers. Will she show the same support for the peaceful protesters in Romania who are demanding that free speech be respected?
I doubt it.
pic.twitter.com/sGywD4mIN4— Gabe (@GabeZZOZZ) January 16, 2026
“In strong liaison with the High Representative [of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy] and Vice President Kaja Kallas, additional sanctions against those who committed the repression will be promptly presented,” she wrote. von der Leyen also added: “We stand beside the people of Iran who are valiantly marching in their freedom. The Iranian authorities should stop using force against protesters, which is excessive according to the opinion of Brussels.”
The EC President continued to add that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was already on the list of the entire list of its human rights sanctions regime.
The wave of unrest in Iran started on December 29 due to the protest in the streets because of the rial devaluation and extended to the majority of big cities. The government claimed that 40 police men were murdered.
According to the Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, armed terrorists have been present among the demonstrators since January 8. The Iranian officials accused Israel and the United States of plotting the riots. US President Donald Trump had already threatened that he was giving serious consideration to employing force against the Islamic Republic.