ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The European Parliament on Thursday called on EU member states to close their Iranian diplomatic missions and expand sanctions on officials responsible for repressing the Iranian people, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and entities associated with the Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

Lawmakers expressed “their solidarity with the Iranian people, who are facing the largest mass murder of protestors in the country's history,” read a statement from the parliament on the successfully-passed resolution, adding: “They strongly condemn the death penalty as a measure to deter political mobilization and call for its abolishment.”

Iran has witnessed a record high rate of executions, following its war with the US and Israel and the nationwide protests in January.

Iranian authorities have delivered a heavy-handed response to the weeks-long protests, killing, injuring, and arresting tens of thousands of demonstrators, according to unconfirmed reports from human rights watchdogs.

According to Amnesty International’s 2025 annual report on the use of the death penalty worldwide, global executions have surged to their highest level in over four decades, driven largely by Iran.

The report said Iranian authorities carried out at least 2,159 executions, more than double the previous year and the highest figure recorded in the country in decades. Iran alone accounted for around 80 percent of all recorded executions worldwide.

On Thursday, Iran executed two Kurds charged with membership of “separatist terror groups,” with the office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk saying that it “deplores” the killings.

The parliament also called on Iran to “immediately” release all political prisoners.

“Parliament calls on the EU to further expand sanctions on Iranian officials responsible for repression, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and entities associated with the Supreme Leader. Members of the IRGC and loyal family members should be banned from entering the EU,” the statement read.

In late January, the US also imposed new sanctions targeting Iranian officials “responsible for the recent brutal crackdown on their own people,” including the interior minister.

Lawmakers urged the EU and “like-minded partners” to provide Iranians with tools for safe and secure internet access amid an imposed blackout.

Iran’s internet blackout has entered its 83rd day, according to internet watchdog NetBlocks on Thursday.

The resolution was passed by 516 votes for, 14 against, and 39 abstentions.