US Imposes Sanctions on Iranian Officials Over Protest Crackdown

US Imposes New Sanctions on Iranian Officials Amid Ongoing Protests

The United States has imposed new sanctions on Iranian officials, targeting Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNCS), and several other individuals. The penalties, announced by the US Treasury Department, freeze the assets of these individuals in the US and make it illegal for American citizens to do business with them.

The sanctions are part of a broader effort by the US to pressure Iran amid ongoing protests in the country. The demonstrations, which began at the start of the year, have resulted in thousands of deaths, according to activist groups. Iranian authorities have described the protesters as armed rioters, while activists claim that security forces have used excessive force.

US President Donald Trump has been critical of the Iranian government’s response to the protests, and has threatened military intervention. In a statement, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the sanctions are aimed at “targeting those behind the regime’s tyrannical oppression of human rights.”

The new sanctions follow earlier threats by Trump to intervene militarily against Iran. However, in recent days, Trump has softened his position, stating that he had been told that the killing of protesters had stopped. The Iranian government had threatened a severe response to any US attack.

In June, Israel attacked Iran without provocation, killing dozens of top military officials and civilians. The US has also intensified its economic sanctions against Iran, aiming to choke the country’s oil sales. On Thursday, the US Department of the Treasury announced new measures against 18 firms and individuals.

The Iranian government has imposed an internet blackout on the country, making it difficult to verify the death toll and claims from both sides. The situation remains tense, with ongoing protests and tensions between Iran and the US.

Source: Al Jazeera