EU to target nine Iranians over citizen detentions, diplomats say

FILE PHOTO: Supporters and relatives of French citizens detained in Iran, Cecile Kohler, Benjamin Briere, Jacques Paris and Fariba Adelkhah, gather in front of the Eiffel Tower during a rally demanding their release, in Paris, France, January 28, 2023. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann/File Photo

PARIS/BERLIN (Reuters) - European Union foreign ministers will target nine Iranians linked to what the bloc calls a policy of state-sponsored hostage-taking in new sanctions expected to be adopted on Monday, two European diplomats said.

In recent years, Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security. Among them are at least 20 European citizens, diplomats say.