European Union foreign ministers have adopted new sanctions targeting around 30 Iranian individuals and entities involved in the violent crackdown on protesters and the country's support for Russia, with asset freezes and travel bans set to be imposed.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on January 29 those targeted include "members of the (Iranian) government, prosecutors, police unit leaders, members of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, those responsible for blocking the internet"AIJES reported.

The EU is to publish the names shortly, the association reported.

"We will adopt European sanctions today against those responsible for repression in Iran: members of the government, prosecutors, police chiefs, members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, those responsible for shutting down the internet," Barrot said earlier on January 29.

"If you act as a terrorist, you should also be treated as terrorists,” EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas told journalists. She added that the steps to put the IRGC on the same level as Islamic Jihad groups were in motion.

She had also posted on social media platform X (previously Twitter): "Iran’s security forces are responsible for mass killings. Today, we are imposing new sanctions on those directly responsible for the violent crackdown on protests that has killed thousands. I also expect that Foreign Ministers will take a political decision for the EU to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. Because, if you act as a terrorist, you should also be treated as a terrorist."

France had been hesitant to designate the IRGC as a terror group over concerns about how that would affect Europeans detained in Iran. 

DW reported that German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he is "very pleased" that the terror designation looks set to "finally go ahead," adding that he was "very confident" EU members would be able to reach a "joint conclusion."

"This is a success for the people of Iran. It is a success for humanity, and it is also a success for the EU as a community of values," Wadephul said.

Mass protests erupted across Iran in late December, with shop owners and university students joining demonstrations against government policies amid a sharp depreciation of the currency and rising prices. The unrest subsequently spread to all provinces of the country.

The Iranian Foundation for Martyrs and Veterans Affairs reported on January 23 that 3,117 people had been killed during the protests. According to the foundation's statement, 2,427 of those killed were civilians and security personnel, with many described as bystanders and "protesters shot by organised groups".

Time magazine, citing royalist figures, claimed earlier on January 26 that some 30,000 people were killed by Iranian security forces; however, that figure has not been verified. The Human Rights News Agency (HRANA) reportedly said more than 5,000 people were killed, including security forces.