U.S. Hits Top Iran Officials With Fresh Sanctions Over Human Rights Abuses Against Women

Washington D.C./09.03.23/Turan:     The United States on Wednesday issued more sanctions against Iran, targeting top officials accused of violating women's rights during an uprising in the country, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that in coordination with the EU, UK and Australia, the Biden Administration is sanctioning 3 Iranian companies, a top Iranian commander, a “high-ranking” leader of the IRGC and an Iranian official that is deemed to be central to its ability to block internet access.

The sanctions, which target those who participated in the violent crackdown on protests over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, deny the Iranians access to U.S. financial assets and property and prevent U.S. individuals and companies from doing business with them.

"Today — on International Women’s Day — the United States is taking action in coordination with the European Union, United Kingdom, and Australia to promote accountability for the Iranian regime’s continued human rights abuses, particularly those against women and girls," Blinken noted.

"The United States remains deeply concerned that Iranian authorities continue to suppress dissent and peaceful protest, including through mass arrests, sham trials, hasty executions, the detention of journalists, and the use of sexual violence as a means of protest suppression," Blinken added.

According to the Treasury Department, the two sanctioned prison officials, Ali Chaharmahali and Dariush Bakhshi, have run prisons where political prisoners and protesters have been tortured, sexually abused and violently threatened.

The three companies sanctioned this time – Naji Pas Company, Naji Pars Amin Institute and Entebagh Gostar Sepehr Company – and their leadership have helped procure goods and materiel for Iran’s security services, according to U.S. officials.

Alex Raufoglu