The United States has imposed sanctions on 12 Iranian officials for human rights abuses, including violent crackdowns on protesters, torture of prisoners, and targeting Iranian dissidents abroad. These sanctions come in the wake of the second anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, who died in the custody of Iran's 'morality police,' sparking widespread protests in the country.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized the Iranian regime's continued violations of human rights over the past two years. The U.S. remains committed to holding accountable those responsible for such abuses.
Ahead of the anniversary, the Iranian government intensified its crackdown on peaceful protesters, indicating a concerning trend of human rights violations despite changes in leadership.
The sanctioned officials include members of Iran's security forces involved in violent crackdowns, as well as individuals responsible for human rights abuses within Iranian prisons. These actions include coercing confessions from activists, killing individuals, and subjecting prisoners to torture and ill-treatment.
Furthermore, the sanctions target officials involved in targeting Iranian dissidents abroad. These individuals played roles in various operations, including attempted bombings and kidnappings of critics of the Iranian regime.
In response to the human rights abuses, the U.S. is not only imposing sanctions but also focusing on ensuring that the Iranian people have access to information and the internet. Amid internet shutdowns by the Iranian government during protests, the U.S. government has taken steps to facilitate access to online information for the people of Iran.
Victoria Taylor, the deputy assistant secretary of state for Iraq and Iran, highlighted the importance of judging the Iranian government by its actions rather than its words. The U.S. remains committed to addressing human rights abuses and supporting the free flow of information for the Iranian people.
