"The internal situation in Iran is extremely serious with the repression of demonstrations", the official told journalists speaking on condition of anonymity, adding, "ministers are likely to adopt a new package of sanctions."

The EU ministers will discuss the transfer of weapons from Iran to Russia in particular drones that have been used in the war against Ukraine, he said adding that "this is a very serious activity which should stop sooner the better." EU High Representative Josep Borrell spoke thrice by phone with Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and expressed to him serious concern about the matter, he noted.

The EU recently imposed sanctions on Iran related with human rights violations and for supplying drones to Russia.

Further, foreign ministers of the 27-member bloc will discuss developments in Lebanon, he said, noting that the constitutional deadline for appointing a president has expired without any action.

"What we have now is a huge social and economic crisis in Lebanon. We are having an institutional vacuum which is highly dangerous," added the official. — Agencies