UK spy, defence chiefs among 32 sanctioned by Iran
Iran sanctioned the heads of the UK's domestic spy agency and military along with British and German political figures, hitting back at Europe before it imposes new sanctions of its own.
At his weekly press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani blamed the Europeans and British for "intervening in the domestic affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran" and said the sanctions "are coming into effect today."
Iran imposed its sanctions on 32 individuals and entities ahead of a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels. They were expected to impose additional sanctions of their own against Iran over its response to the demonstrations.
Iran's sanctions list named Ken McCallum, director general of domestic spy agency MI5, and Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.
Others sanctioned include current and former members of the British parliament and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.
Several German political figures and companies are also listed. These include Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, former head of the Christian Democratic Union party, and Claudia Roth, Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.
Those sanctioned will not be able to enter Iran, and they will be subject to asset freezes.
Britain and the EU last month expanded sanctions against Iranian officials and organisations over Iran's protest crackdown.
