Key Points
- Washington announces sanctions linked to Iran protests
- US accuses officials of rights violations during protests
- Tehran rejects allegations, calls move political pressure
ISLAMABAD: The United States has announced new sanctions against Iranian officials, accusing them of involvement in a crackdown on public protests.
In a statement, US authorities said the measures target individuals linked to security and administrative institutions accused of using force against demonstrators and restricting public freedoms.
The sanctions include asset freezes under US jurisdiction and restrictions on financial dealings.
US officials said the action was taken in response to what they described as the suppression of peaceful protests and the mistreatment of demonstrators.
The measures were announced under existing US legal frameworks related to human rights accountability.
Iran has rejected the allegations, with officials in Tehran saying the sanctions are politically motivated and amount to interference in internal affairs.
Iranian authorities have maintained that security forces acted within the law to preserve public order during unrest.
The latest sanctions add to a long list of restrictive measures imposed by Washington on Iran over the years, covering its economy, financial sector and senior officials.
Tehran has repeatedly said that such actions undermine dialogue and worsen mistrust.
Regional analysts say the move is unlikely to change Iran’s internal policies but could further complicate already strained relations between Tehran and Washington, especially at a time of broader uncertainty across the Middle East.
Iran has called on countries to address differences through dialogue and mutual respect, arguing that pressure and punitive steps have failed to produce lasting outcomes.
