What's happened
Since late December 2025, Iran has experienced widespread protests over economic hardship and repression, resulting in thousands of deaths. The US, UK, and Australia have imposed targeted sanctions on Iranian officials and entities linked to violence and human rights abuses, including the IRGC, amid ongoing international pressure.
What's behind the headline?
The recent wave of sanctions underscores a coordinated international effort to pressure Iran over its human rights record and military actions. The designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization by the EU and US signals a significant escalation, aiming to weaken Iran’s military influence. Sanctions targeting officials like Interior Minister Momeni and financial networks linked to oil revenues aim to cut off resources fueling repression. These measures are likely to increase internal dissent within Iran, especially among military and security personnel, as some suggest exemptions for conscripts and defectors could deepen divisions within the IRGC. The sustained pressure may also push Iran toward further isolation, complicating diplomatic efforts and potentially escalating regional tensions. The international community’s focus on Iran’s crackdown highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing sanctions with diplomatic engagement, as Iran continues to deny allegations of widespread violence and labels protesters as terrorists. The next phase will test whether economic and diplomatic pressure can induce regime change or reform, or if Iran will double down on repression to maintain control.
What the papers say
The articles from France 24, SBS, The New Arab, and AP News collectively highlight the escalating international response to Iran’s crackdown. France 24’s Marc Perelman emphasizes the transformation of the IRGC from a people's army to a brutal enforcer, with the EU’s terrorist designation as a key development. SBS details Australia’s targeted sanctions, including financial restrictions on IRGC-linked entities, reaffirming global concern over human rights abuses. The New Arab reports on UK and US sanctions, focusing on officials like Momeni and Zanjani, and underscores Iran’s narrative of protests as 'riots' fueled by foreign enemies. These contrasting perspectives reveal a shared international stance condemning Iran’s violence but also reflect differing approaches—diplomatic sanctions versus symbolic designations—highlighting the complexity of exerting pressure without direct confrontation.
How we got here
Protests erupted in Iran in late December 2025, driven by economic struggles and political repression. The Iranian government responded with a brutal crackdown, killing over 6,000 people according to rights groups. Western nations responded with sanctions aimed at pressuring Iran’s leadership and military apparatus, especially the IRGC, which has been involved in suppressing protests and maintaining regime stability.
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Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a
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The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 km² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.