US sanctions Iranian security officials over ‘violent crackdown’ on protests
The United States has imposed sanctions on several high-ranking Iranian security officials and financial networks, citing their role in orchestrating a violent crackdown on peaceful protests in the country. The move is the latest in a series of measures taken by the US to pressure Iran over its human rights record and alleged support for terrorism.
Among those sanctioned is Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security. Larijani, a former speaker of the Iranian parliament, has been accused of playing a key role in the Iranian government’s response to the protests, which have been ongoing since last year.
In addition to Larijani, four regional commanders of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces and Revolutionary Guard were also sanctioned. The commanders, who were not named, have been accused of overseeing the violent suppression of protests in their respective regions.
The sanctions also target several financial networks and companies that have been accused of laundering billions of dollars in oil revenues on behalf of the Iranian government. The US Treasury Department, which imposed the sanctions, accused the companies of helping to fund the Iranian government’s “malign activities” abroad.
The US has been critical of Iran’s handling of the protests, which were sparked by the death of a young woman in police custody last year. The protests have been marked by widespread violence, with security forces using tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition to disperse crowds.
The US and other Western countries have accused Iran of committing human rights abuses in its response to the protests, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings. Iran has denied the allegations, saying that the protests are a threat to national security and that the security forces are acting to maintain order.
The sanctions imposed by the US are the latest in a series of measures taken by the country to pressure Iran over its human rights record and alleged support for terrorism. The US has already imposed sanctions on several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi.
The sanctions are likely to have a significant impact on the Iranian economy, which is already struggling under the weight of international sanctions. The US has been seeking to isolate Iran economically and diplomatically, in an effort to force the country to abandon its nuclear program and cease its support for militant groups in the region.
The move has been welcomed by human rights groups, who have accused Iran of committing widespread abuses in its response to the protests. “The sanctions are a welcome step towards holding the Iranian government accountable for its human rights abuses,” said a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch. “However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of the protests and to ensure that those responsible for the abuses are held to account.”
The Iranian government has condemned the sanctions, saying that they are a violation of international law and an attempt to interfere in the country’s internal affairs. “The sanctions are a desperate attempt by the US to exert pressure on Iran,” said a spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry. “However, they will not succeed in achieving their goals, and will only serve to strengthen the resolve of the Iranian people.”
The situation in Iran remains volatile, with protests continuing to erupt in cities across the country. The US and other Western countries are likely to continue to pressure Iran over its human rights record and alleged support for terrorism, and the sanctions are likely to remain in place until the Iranian government takes steps to address these concerns.
In conclusion, the US sanctions on Iranian security officials and financial networks are a significant development in the ongoing crisis in Iran. The move is likely to have a significant impact on the Iranian economy and will likely be seen as a major escalation of the tensions between the US and Iran. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Iranian government will respond to the sanctions and what steps the US and other Western countries will take to address the ongoing human rights abuses in the country.
News source: https://x.com/RT_com/status/2011847406325813466
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