The United States announced on Thursday a new package of tough economic sanctions targeting a network of Iranian security officials and banking entities, in direct response to the authorities' violent crackdown on popular protests in the country. This move is part of a series of measures aimed at tightening the financial and political noose around decision-makers in Tehran.
Targeting top leaders
According to a statement issued by the US Treasury Department, the new sanctions target prominent figures in the Iranian regime, most notably Ali Larijani , Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, as well as a number of security leaders involved in ordering attacks against protesters. Treasury Secretary Scott Bisnett stated that “the United States stands firmly and resolutely with the Iranian people in their ongoing struggle for freedom and justice,” adding that these sanctions send a clear message that human rights abuses will not go unpunished.
The context of sanctions and their political dimensions
These sanctions are particularly significant given Ali Larijani's political stature; he is a key figure within the Iranian regime. While Washington has historically relied on economic sanctions as a primary tool of pressure for decades, targeting the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council represents a significant escalation. This council is responsible for formulating defense and security policies and strategies for dealing with internal unrest. Observers believe this move could further complicate the diplomatic landscape and increase Tehran's international isolation, placing additional strain on Iran's already struggling economy.
A unified international stance: G7 warnings
In a related development, the international community has shown clear solidarity against Iranian practices. The foreign ministers of the G7 , led by France, issued a joint statement expressing their readiness to impose “further restrictive measures” should Tehran continue its repressive approach. The foreign ministers of Germany, Canada, the United States, France, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom, along with the European Union, condemned the excessive use of force. The statement read: “We are deeply concerned by reports documenting a large number of deaths and injuries, and we strongly condemn the use of deliberate violence and arbitrary arrests as tools to intimidate protesters.”
Human rights reports document violations
For its part, Amnesty International harrowing evidence of what it described as “unlawful mass killings” carried out by Iranian authorities to suppress protests. The London-based organization explained that its investigations, based on video footage and eyewitness accounts, confirm that security forces used live ammunition and metal pellets indiscriminately and directly against unarmed demonstrators. Reports indicated that snipers and security forces were positioned on the rooftops of residential buildings and mosques, targeting protesters in vital areas of their bodies, reflecting a premeditated intent to inflict maximum casualties—a flagrant violation of international human rights conventions.
