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 orchestrating a violent crackdown on peaceful protests and laundering billions of dollars in oil revenues. The move is the latest in a series of measures taken by the US to pressure the Iranian government over its human rights record and support for extremist groups in the region.
Among those sanctioned is Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security, who is accused of playing a key role in the suppression of protests and the persecution of minority groups. Larijani, a former speaker of the Iranian parliament, has been a prominent figure in Iranian politics for many years and has been instrumental in shaping the country’s security policies.
In addition to Larijani, four regional commanders of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces and Revolutionary Guard were also sanctioned. These commanders are accused of overseeing the violent suppression of protests in various parts of the country, including the use of lethal force against unarmed civilians. The sanctions also target several financial institutions and companies that are accused of laundering billions of dollars in oil revenues on behalf of the Iranian government.
The US Treasury Department, which imposed the sanctions, said that the move was intended to hold accountable those responsible for the violent crackdown on protests and to disrupt the financial networks that support the Iranian government’s repressive policies. “The Iranian government’s violent crackdown on peaceful protests has been well-documented, and it is clear that the regime will stop at nothing to maintain its grip on power,” said a Treasury Department spokesperson. “These sanctions are intended to send a clear message that the US will not tolerate such behavior and will take all necessary steps to hold accountable those responsible.”
The sanctions are the latest in a series of measures taken by the US to pressure the Iranian government over its human rights record and support for extremist groups in the region. In recent years, the US has imposed sanctions on numerous Iranian officials and entities, including the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The Iranian government has responded to the sanctions by accusing the US of interfering in its internal affairs and of seeking to destabilize the country. Iranian officials have also vowed to continue their support for extremist groups in the region, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The US sanctions come at a time of heightened tensions between the US and Iran, which have been exacerbated by a series of incidents in recent months, including the downing of a US drone by Iranian forces and the seizure of several oil tankers by the IRGC. The US has also accused Iran of being behind a series of attacks on oil tankers and pipelines in the region, which Iran has denied.
The sanctions are likely to have significant economic and political implications for Iran, which is already struggling to cope with the impact of US sanctions on its economy. The country’s oil exports have been severely curtailed by the sanctions, which have also made it difficult for Iran to access international financial markets.
The move is also likely to be seen as a significant escalation of the conflict between the US and Iran, which has been ongoing for many years. The US has long been critical of Iran’s human rights record and its support for extremist groups in the region, and has imposed numerous sanctions on the country in an effort to pressure it to change its behavior.
In conclusion, the US sanctions on Iranian security officials and financial networks are a significant development in the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran. The move is intended to hold accountable those responsible for the violent crackdown on protests and to disrupt the financial networks that support the Iranian government’s repressive policies. However, it is likely to have significant economic and political implications for Iran, and may escalate the conflict between the two countries.
Source: https://x.com/RT_com/status/2011847406325813466
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