US Government Orders Sanctions Against Iran
(TargetLiberty.org) – Iranian officials will be hit with a swathe of new sanctions as the US retaliates for Iran’s brutal crackdown on anti-regime protests. The Treasury Department has identified the leaders of the oppression and taken action to freeze their assets. Sanctions could also hit anyone that does business with the named officials.
BREAKING: The U.S. imposed more sanctions on Iranian government officials for violence inflicted on protesters and civilians and for repressing speech following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. https://t.co/dSIVDNKxox
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 6, 2022
On October 6, Treasury Department Under Secretary Brian Nelson announced new sanctions against seven senior Iranians. The highest-ranking target is Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, who’s responsible for law enforcement. Police run by his ministry have led the response to recent protests, which were triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after she was arrested by the notorious morality police. Human rights NGOs say at least 185 people have now died as police assault rioters with clubs, gas and live ammunition.
Other targets include Communications Minister Eisa Zarepour and cyber police chief Vahid Mohammad Naser Majid. Iran has tried to shut down access to social media platforms, which protesters are using to communicate with each other and the outside world. Two commanders of the paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, which the US designates as a terrorist organization, have also been sanctioned.
The US will now freeze any assets the targeted officials hold in this country. Any business or individual that makes a transaction with the targets could also face sanctions in a move to deter westerners from helping Iran’s increasingly unpopular regime.
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