The United States has imposed sanctions on Iranian security officials and financial networks accused of orchestrating a violent crackdown on protests and laundering billions in oil revenues.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the measures, saying “the United States stands firmly behind the Iranian people in their call for freedom and justice.”
Among those sanctioned is Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security, who Washington claims coordinated the crackdown and called for the use of force against demonstrators. Four regional commanders of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces and Revolutionary Guard were also targeted for their roles in suppressing protests in Lorestan and Fars provinces.
The Treasury highlighted the scale of the violence in Fars, stating that hospitals were “so inundated with gunshot wound patients that no other types of patients can be admitted.” In addition to officials, 18 individuals and entities accused of operating “shadow banking” networks were sanctioned for laundering proceeds from Iranian oil sales through front companies in the UAE, Singapore, and Britain. These networks are said to funnel billions of dollars annually, while ordinary Iranian citizens face severe economic hardship.
The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets of those designated and prohibit Americans from conducting business with them. Foreign financial institutions also face the risk of secondary sanctions if they transact with the listed entities.
This action is part of the Trump administration’s broader “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran.
