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, accusing them of playing a key role in the violent suppression of peaceful protests in the country. The move is seen as a significant escalation of tensions between Washington and Tehran, and is likely to further strain relations between the two nations.
Among those sanctioned is Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security. Larijani is a prominent figure in Iranian politics and has been a key advisor to the country’s leadership on matters of national security. The US Treasury Department accused Larijani of overseeing the Iranian government’s response to the protests, which has been marked by widespread human rights abuses and violence against civilians.
In addition to Larijani, four regional commanders of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces and Revolutionary Guard were also sanctioned. These commanders are accused of leading the charge against protesters, using excessive force and violence to quell the demonstrations. The sanctions against these individuals are seen as a way for the US to hold them accountable for their actions and to send a strong message to the Iranian government that such behavior will not be tolerated.
The US has also targeted several Iranian financial networks, accusing them of laundering billions of dollars in oil revenues. These networks are said to be linked to the Iranian government and are accused of using their ill-gotten gains to fund the country’s security forces and support their violent crackdown on protesters.
The sanctions are the latest in a series of moves by the US to pressure the Iranian government over its human rights record and its support for terrorism. The US has long been critical of Iran’s treatment of its citizens, and has accused the government of systematically suppressing dissent and opposition.
The protests in Iran, which began in September 2022, were sparked by the death of a young woman named Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the country’s morality police for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress code. Amini’s death in custody sparked widespread outrage and protests, with thousands of Iranians taking to the streets to demand greater freedoms and an end to the government’s authoritarian rule.
The Iranian government has responded to the protests with force, using tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition to disperse crowds. The crackdown has been marked by widespread human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings. The US and other Western countries have condemned the Iranian government’s actions, calling for an end to the violence and for the release of all those who have been arrested.
The sanctions imposed by the US are seen as a way to hold the Iranian government accountable for its actions and to support the Iranian people in their struggle for freedom and democracy. The US has also called on other countries to join it in condemning the Iranian government’s actions and in supporting the protesters.
The move is likely to be seen as a significant escalation of tensions between the US and Iran, and could lead to further retaliation from the Iranian government. The two countries have been locked in a bitter dispute over Iran’s nuclear program, with the US accusing Iran of seeking to develop a nuclear bomb. The dispute has led to a series of sanctions and counter-sanctions, with the US imposing tough economic penalties on Iran and Iran responding by increasing its uranium enrichment activities.
The situation in Iran remains highly volatile, with protests continuing to take place across the country. The US and other Western countries are likely to continue to pressure the Iranian government over its human rights record and its support for terrorism, and the sanctions imposed by the US are seen as a key part of this effort.
In conclusion, the US has imposed sanctions on several high-ranking Iranian security officials and financial networks, accusing them of orchestrating a violent crackdown on peaceful protests and laundering billions in oil revenues. The move is seen as a significant escalation of tensions between the US and Iran, and is likely to further strain relations between the two nations. The situation in Iran remains highly volatile, with protests continuing to take place across the country. The US and other Western countries are likely to continue to pressure the Iranian government over its human rights record and its support for terrorism, and the sanctions imposed by the US are seen as a key part of this effort.
News source: https://x.com/RT_com/status/2011847406325813466
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