CANBERRA: Australia has announced a new round of sanctions and travel restrictions against Iranian officials and organisations, aligning itself more closely with measures already introduced by the United States and the United Kingdom against Tehran.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the sanctions package targets seven individuals and four entities accused of involvement in serious human rights violations and activities linked to regional instability.
According to statements reported by Al Jazeera, the Australian government said the measures were introduced in response to what it described as Iran’s continuing repression of its population and its alleged role in fuelling tensions across the Middle East.
Australia imposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on seven Iranian individuals and four entities on Tuesday over “the regime’s ongoing brutal oppression of its people and destabilization of the region.”
The Australian government said those sanctioned included… pic.twitter.com/lkXeEcHnb2
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Wong stated that the Iranian authorities had allegedly carried out widespread crackdowns against citizens, including peaceful demonstrators, and accused the government in Tehran of committing grave abuses during periods of unrest.
“The regime massacred thousands of its own citizens and carried out mass arrests of peaceful protesters,” Wong alleged in an official statement.
She added that the newly sanctioned individuals and organisations include senior officials allegedly connected to violent actions against civilians, including women and children.
Australian authorities also said the sanctions extend beyond human rights concerns and are aimed at disrupting what Canberra described as Iran’s “shadow banking system”.
According to the government, these financial networks are allegedly being used to channel funds towards regional proxy groups, missile-related activities and other operations viewed by Australia as destabilising.
Wong said the restrictions were intended to limit Tehran’s ability to finance organisations such as Hamas, support its ballistic missile programme and sustain activities considered a threat to regional security.
The latest move places Australia alongside Western allies that have recently intensified pressure on Iran through coordinated sanctions and diplomatic measures.
The sanctions are expected to further strain already tense relations between Tehran and several Western governments amid ongoing disputes over human rights, regional influence and security concerns.
Iran has repeatedly rejected similar accusations from Western countries, maintaining that its policies are legitimate and accusing foreign governments of interfering in its internal affairs.
