US Imposes Sanctions on Iranian Officials Over Protest Crackdown and Financial Networks

The United States imposed new sanctions on five senior Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme Council for National Security, accusing them of orchestrating a violent crackdown on nationwide protests that began in December. The sanctions also target commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, law enforcement, and 18 individuals and entities linked to laundering Iranian oil revenues through shadow banking networks. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized tracking funds moved abroad and urged Iran to stop the violence. The protests, initially over economic issues, have resulted in thousands of deaths, according to rights groups. Iran's government attributes violence to external elements, while the US supports protesters' calls for freedom and justice.