WASHINGTON: The US government has imposed new sanctions on five Iranian individuals, who are said to take part in a brutal suppression of anti-government turmoil in Iran. The sanctions target mainly the superior officials associated with the Iranian security forces, which comprise the Revolutionary Guard Corps and law enforcement.
As per the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the persons in question are thought to have employed violence as a means of repression against non-violent protests that had erupted all over Iran. The U.S. government has also warned that it is closely monitoring financial transactions involving Iranian leaders, particularly those related to funds being transferred to international banks.
“The message to Iran’s leadership is clear,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Basent. “We know how you’re moving stolen funds through global financial institutions. We will track and target these illicit transactions.”
The individuals targeted by the new sanctions include senior figures from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and key commanders in the Revolutionary Guard and other security agencies. The United States government has imposed sanctions on eighteen more people who were stated to be involved in the unlawful movement of money that came from the exports of oil and petrochemicals from Iran to foreign markets.
Basent going ahead, insisted on the same message as the former President Donald Trump among others, telling Iran to stop the bloodshed against its own people. “You may be late but at least you are still within the time frame if you opt for us,” he said. As President Trump said, stop the violence and stand with the Iranian people. America stands firmly with those demanding freedom and justice,” Basent added.
The new sanctions were imposed, as human rights violations and excessive force used by Iranian authorities to suppress dissent were already in the spotlight. The U.S. has been telling Iran’s leadership to stop using force against demonstrators and uphold the rights of their people.
