U.S. Sanctions More Iranian Leaders Over Human Rights Crackdown

The Biden Administration on Thursday levied fresh sanctions against Iranian leaders over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini and violent crackdown on peaceful protesters, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

The move came after weeks of protests following Amini’s death in the custody of Iran’s Morality Police for allegedly wearing her hijab too loosely.

"The Iranian government has since cracked down on the right to freedom of expression and right of peaceful assembly, including by shutting down access to the Internet," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned 7 senior leaders in Iran’s government and security apparatus for human rights abuses. Among them are Iran’s Minister of the Interior, Ahmad Vahidi, and Iran’s Minister of Communications, Eisa Zarepour, as well as five other senior leaders of Iran’s security apparatus for the continued violence against peaceful protesters and the shutdown of Iran’s Internet access.

"Today’s action follows the September 22 designation of the Morality Police, its senior leadership, and other senior security officials, and the release of Iran-related General License D-2, which together demonstrate that the United States stands with the brave citizens and the brave women of Iran who right now are demonstrating to secure their basic rights," Blinken noted.

Access to any property belonging to the individuals on U.S. soil will be blocked as a result of the sanctions.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.