In a comprehensive report, it has been disclosed that the United States has imposed sanctions on more than two dozen individuals and entities associated with Iran’s “violent suppression” of protests following the death of Mahsa Amini last year while in the custody of Iran’s morality police. The announcement was made by the U.S. Department of Treasury on a Friday.
These sanctions specifically target 29 individuals and groups, including 18 prominent members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF), and the head of Iran’s Prisons Organization, among others. Additionally, officials linked to Iran’s internet blockade and several media outlets are also included in the sanctions.
Brian Nelson, the U.S. Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, emphasized, “The United States, alongside the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and our other international allies and partners, will continue to take collective action against those who suppress Iranians’ exercise of their human rights.” This statement was issued ahead of the one-year anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death, which occurred on Saturday.
Furthermore, Britain announced separate sanctions targeting senior Iranian decision-makers responsible for enforcing Tehran’s mandatory hijab law. This list includes Iran’s Minister for Culture and Islamic Guidance, his deputy, the Mayor of Tehran, and an Iranian police spokesperson.
Mahsa Amini, an Iranian Kurd, tragically passed away on September 16, 2022, at the age of 22 while in custody for allegedly violating Iran’s mandatory dress code. Her death sparked a series of anti-government protests that represented one of the most significant displays of opposition to Iranian authorities in recent years.
The U.S. sanctions specifically target figures such as LEF spokesperson Saeed Montazerolmehdi, multiple LEF and IRGC commanders, and Iran’s Prisons Organization chief Gholamali Mohammadi. Additionally, individuals like Alireza Abedinejad, the chief executive of Douran Software Technologies, and state-controlled media organizations including Press TV, Tasnim News Agency, and Fars News, are among those affected by the sanctions.
It’s important to note that U.S. sanctions generally prohibit Americans from engaging in transactions with the sanctioned entities and individuals, adding a layer of economic pressure in response to Iran’s actions surrounding Mahsa Amini’s death and the subsequent protests.