US Imposes Sanctions on Iran's Interior Minister and Others for Repressing Protests
The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on Iran's interior minister, Eskandar Momeni, for his role in repressing nationwide protests against the government. The sanctions are part of a broader effort by the United States and the European Union to target high-ranking officials involved in the crackdown. Momeni is accused of overseeing Iran's law enforcement forces responsible for the deaths of peaceful protesters.
The protests in Iran began due to economic hardships in late December and evolved into a broader challenge to the Islamic Republic. The crackdown that followed led to the deaths of thousands of people, according to activists. Iranian officials have labeled the demonstrators as "terrorists." The EU also imposed sanctions on Momeni and other officials involved in the violent repression of protests and the arbitrary arrest of activists and human rights defenders.
In addition to the sanctions on Momeni, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Babak Morteza Zanjani, an Iranian investor accused of embezzling billions of dollars in Iranian oil revenue for the benefit of the government. Two digital asset exchanges linked to Zanjani were also penalized. The EU has decided to designate Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, adding to the pressure on Tehran.
The latest round of U.S. sanctions targets the secretary of the Supreme Council for National Security, who is accused of inciting violence against protesters. The sanctions also focus on a group of individuals and companies involved in money laundering from the sales of Iranian oil to foreign markets through a shadow banking network. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the department's commitment to targeting Iranian networks and corrupt elites that exploit the Iranian people for their own gain.
The sanctions imposed by the U.S. deny the sanctioned individuals and entities access to any property or financial assets in the U.S., restrict travel to America, and prohibit U.S. companies and citizens from engaging in business with them. The Treasury Department remains vigilant in its efforts to disrupt illicit financial activities that benefit the Iranian regime at the expense of the Iranian people.