Full Breakdown
EU Targets Iranian Judges and Cyber Figure with New Sanctions
7/24/2026, 9:41:05 PM
New Sanctions Announced
On July 24, 2026, the Council of the European Union listed five Iranian judges and Nima Salehi, the founder of the Ashiyane cyber group, for sanctions. The measures comprise asset freezes, travel bans within the EU, and a prohibition on providing funds or economic resources to the designated individuals. The EU statement did not disclose the judges’ names but identified them as members of Iran’s Revolutionary Courts.
Background on Iran’s Domestic Repression
The sanctioned judges have presided over cases involving political activists, journalists, civil-society members and religious minorities, including Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi. The sanctions follow the 2022 “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests that erupted after Mahsa Amini’s death and the broader crackdown on dissent.
Scope of the Sanctions
- Individuals sanctioned: five Revolutionary-Court judges + Nima Salehi.
- Total EU sanctions on Iran (including this package): 269 individuals and 53 entities.
- Restrictions imposed: asset freezes, EU-wide travel bans, and bans on providing financial or material support. The measures take effect after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and must be applied by all member states.
Official EU Statements
The Council’s announcement emphasized that the sanctions aim to promote accountability while maintaining diplomatic pressure through targeted restrictions rather than broader economic measures.
Anticipated Impact
EU officials indicated that the sanctions are intended to reinforce pressure on Iran’s security apparatus and signal continued commitment to human-rights protection. The bloc signaled that it will monitor the situation and consider further actions if violations persist.
