US Imposes Sanctions on Iranian Officials Amid Ongoing Protests and Repression

The United States has intensified its pressure on Iran by imposing sanctions on Iranian security officials and financial networks, accusing them of leading a violent crackdown on peaceful protests and laundering billions in oil revenues. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced these measures on Thursday, a response to the largest antigovernment protests seen in the Islamic Republic's history. However, these demonstrations have reportedly waned in recent days due to an increasingly repressive environment and a weeklong internet blackout. Bessent emphasized that the U.S. stands in solidarity with the Iranian people and their demand for freedom and justice. This latest round of sanctions was executed at the direction of President Donald Trump. Included among those sanctioned is Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran's Supreme Council for National Security, who Washington accuses of coordinating the crackdown and advocating for the use of force against protesters. In addition to Larijani, four regional commanders from Iran's Law Enforcement Forces and Revolutionary Guard were sanctioned for their involvement in violent actions against demonstrators, particularly in the provinces of Lorestan and Fars. Reports indicate that security forces in Fars have killed numerous peaceful demonstrators, rendering hospitals overwhelmed with gunshot victims and unable to accommodate other patients. The Treasury Department has also designated 18 individuals and entities linked to shadow banking networks that launder the proceeds from Iranian oil sales through front companies located in the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. These shadow networks are believed to funnel billions of dollars every year while Iranian citizens continue to face dire economic challenges. The sanctions effectively freeze any U.S. assets of the designated individuals and prohibit American entities from engaging in business with them. Foreign financial institutions are similarly warned that they risk secondary sanctions for any transactions with these sanctioned entities. This recent action is part of Trump's broader "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, which was initiated following the U.S. unilateral withdrawal from the landmark international nuclear deal. In 2025 alone, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned more than 875 persons, vessels, and aircraft as part of these ongoing measures. Protests in Iran initially began on December 28, primarily triggered by the collapse of the rial currency but soon evolved into widespread discontent with the government itself. Moreover, the announcement of sanctions coincides with President Trump's claim that he had been informed on credible authority that plans for executions in Iran had ceased—despite Tehran's announcement of expedited trials and executions as part of its response to the protests. In a statement made by Iran's judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, the government has been urged to swiftly punish over 18,000 individuals detained during the protests through rapid trials and executions. As per the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights, the death toll from the security crackdown has reached at least 3,428, making it the highest casualty count from any protests or uprisings in Iran in decades and reminiscent of the turmoil surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution. As the situation continues to develop, the international community watches closely, assessing the ramifications of the U.S. actions and the Iranian government's response. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2