U.S. announces new sanctions on Iran, even as it seeks a new nuclear deal

Iranian demonstrators protest in Tehran on Sept. 21, after Mahsa Amini died in custody of the country's so-called morality police. (AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S. announced fresh sanctions on Thursday against Iranian officials in punishment "for the continued violence against peaceful protesters and the shutdown of Iran's Internet access."

"We condemn the Iranian government's crackdown on its people's rights to freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly, including by shutting down access to the internet. We will use our sanctions as long as Iran continues to disregard its people's rights," State Department spokesperson Ned Price tweeted.