BRUSSELS - The European Union (EU) on Monday decided to strengthened its sanctions against Iran.

Following a review, Foreign Ministers of the 27-member bloc met in Brussels decided to prolong the EU restrictive measures in response to "serious human rights violations in Iran" by 12 months.

The EU also added nine persons responsible for the alleged human rights violations to the list of those subject to a travel ban and an asset freeze.

This brings the number of persons targeted to 87. The Council also decided to subject one entity responsible for human rights violations to an asset freeze.