Scotland's First Minister has given his firm backing to new sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom on the Iranian regime, condemning its violent suppression of protests as "barbaric".
Swinney Condemns 'Unacceptable' Loss of Life
John Swinney stated that the loss of life in Iran was "utterly unacceptable" and described the UK Government's decision to sanction Tehran as "appropriate". He directed his criticism at a regime he accused of "behaving in a barbaric fashion" towards its own citizens. The First Minister's comments come as human rights groups report a spiralling death toll, with estimates suggesting more than 2,400 anti-government demonstrators have been killed by Iranian security forces since protests began.
Calls for Internal Resolution Amid US Threats
When questioned about the potential for US military intervention, following warnings from President Donald Trump, Swinney emphasised that the future of Iran must be determined internally. "Fundamentally, the situation in Iran must be resolved by the people of Iran," he asserted on Wednesday, 14 January 2026. While advocating for the protection of human rights, which he said were clearly not being respected by the current authorities, Swinney stressed that external military action was not the solution. He positioned sanctions as a measured step the international community can take to apply pressure.
UK Government Announces Sweeping Sanctions
The Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced a significant package of new restrictions against Iran on Tuesday. The government stated it will bring in "full and further sanctions" targeting critical sectors of the Iranian economy. The measures are designed to impact the nation's oil, energy, nuclear, and financial industries, increasing economic isolation in response to the regime's actions. The protests, which erupted at the end of December, were initially fuelled by a severe cost-of-living crisis and the collapse of Iran's national currency.
In his concluding remarks, Swinney reiterated his core position: "I think the whole issue of the future of Iran must be determined by the people of Iran." His support aligns the Scottish Government with Westminster's diplomatic approach, using economic sanctions as a primary tool against the Tehran administration.
