Escalating Repression in Iran: Government's Attempt to Quell Dissent Amid EU Sanctions

In recent days, the Iranian government has intensified its efforts to suppress dissent and prevent a resurgence of nationwide protests through mass arrests. According to five activists and two Iranian government representatives who spoke with the Reuters news agency, thousands of individuals have been detained by plainclothes security forces and taken to undisclosed locations. The underlying aim of these actions is to instill fear among the population. 'They arrest everyone,' one activist stated, adding that the whereabouts of detainees remain unknown. Reports by lawyers and medical professionals reveal that the harsh measures wielded by authorities now extend even to family members of protesters and healthcare personnel. The UN Human Rights Office has raised alarms over potential torture and unfair trials occurring in the wake of these detentions. Amnesty International corroborates these claims, highlighting widespread arbitrary arrests alongside the mysterious disappearances of individuals. In parallel, the European Union has taken a significant stand against Iran’s authoritarian regime by placing the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) on its terrorism list. This announcement, made by EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas after discussions with foreign ministers in Brussels, follows the brutal suppression of past protests that led to the deaths of thousands in Iran. Kallas asserted, 'Oppression should not go unanswered,' emphasizing that any regime that slaughters its own citizens is ultimately aiding its own downfall. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also condemned the IRGC, describing the organization and its auxiliary forces as the enforcement arm of the Iranian regime. 'They act with unimaginable brutality against their own population,' he stated, noting that the group has executed citizens simply for raising their voices against the government. Wadephul highlighted the IRGC's destabilizing role in the Middle East, tying it to attempted attacks in Germany and across Europe. 'They have blood on their hands,' he concluded, marking their actions as emblematic of a regime facing inevitable collapse. The designation of the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization stands as a powerful symbolic gesture, though its practical implications may be limited by existing sanctions. The IRGC remains a critical pillar of the Islamic Republic and operates under the direct authority of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, playing an essential role in crushing dissent and curbing potential coup attempts. In response to recent comments from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who referred to the Iranian regime's reliance on violence as a sign of its impending demise, Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned the German ambassador, Axel Dittmann. State news agency Irna reported that Director General Aliresa Jussefi reprimanded Merz’s statements, labeling them as irresponsible interference in Iran's sovereign affairs. The Iranian government also condemned the EU's classification of the IRGC as a terrorist entity, asserting that such designations infringe upon the nation’s sovereignty. As repression continues to escalate in Iran amid international condemnation, the situation remains precarious for both the Iranian people seeking change and the regime that resorts to fear tactics to cling to power. The world watches closely as Iran grapples with internal turmoil and increasing pressure from outside forces. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2