Yvette Cooper announced to MPs that the UK was imposing sanctions on finance, energy, transport, software, and some other significant sectors.
The UK has announced ‘full & further sanctions’ against Iran amidst widespread protests that have resulted in hundreds of deaths and arrests.
Cooper also said that the Foreign Office had summoned the Iranian ambassador over reports of the country’s violent response to protests against the regime.
Cooper’s announcement came amidst Donald Trump urging Iranians to ‘keep protesting’’, adding that ‘help is on its way.’
Earlier, Trump announced a 25% tariff on imports from any country doing business with Iran. This angered China, which is Iran’s leading export partner.
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that the EU would ‘swiftly’ propose further sanctions on those responsible for the ‘repression of the Iranian demonstrations.’
Speaking at the Commons, Cooper said that the UK will forward legislation to implement full and further sanctions and sectoral measures. The UK has already designated key players in Iran’s oil, energy, nuclear & financial systems.
Further sanction measures will target finance, energy, transport, software, and other significant industries that are advancing Iranian nuclear escalations. Cooper added that the UK will work further with the EU and other partners to explore what additional measures might now be needed in response to developments.
Cooper added that she had spoken to the Iranian foreign minister on Monday, 12 January, to set out the UK’s total abhorrence of the killings, besides the violence and the repression being witnessed.
Cooper added that Iran’s claims that its domestic protests were due to foreign influence and instigation were ‘lies & propaganda.’
Cooper went on to state that, similar to what was done nearly 4 years back in 2022, it’s absolutely clear that the Iranian regime is trying to paint these protests as the result of foreign influence and instigation.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, accused foreign nations of being behind unrest in the country, calling the situation a “terrorist war.”
