But the move by Europe, long considered, will put new pressure on Iran as its economy already struggles under the weight of international sanctions. Economic woes had sparked the protests that broadened into challenging the theocracy before the crackdown. EU likely’ to sanction the GuardThe EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, told journalists it was “likely” the sanctions would be put in place. Guard key to crackdownThe Guard was born from Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution as a force meant to protect its Shiite cleric-overseen government and later enshrined in its constitution. The Guard’s all-volunteer Basij force likely was key in putting down the demonstrations, starting in earnest from Jan. 8, when authorities cut off the global internet for the nation of 85 million people.