US sanctions Iranian officials as Iran protests face crackdown and internet blackout

Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
29m ago
The United States imposed new sanctions on Iranian political and security officials, including Ali Larijani, over Iran’s crackdown on antigovernment protesters as Iran imposed an internet blackout and deaths were reported by activist groups and the government.
US sanctions Iranian officials as Iran protests face crackdown and internet blackout
A What happened
The United States imposed new sanctions on Iranian political and security officials over Iran’s crackdown on antigovernment protesters. The penalties targeted Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and other officials the US called the “architects” of Tehran’s “brutal” response to demonstrations. Iranian authorities imposed an internet blackout, and activist groups said thousands of protesters were killed while the Iranian government said more than 100 security officers were killed in armed attacks during the demonstrations. The US Treasury also announced new measures against 18 firms and individuals it said are involved in Iran’s energy exports.
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Key insights

  • 1

    US sanctions include asset freezes and a ban on US business dealings: The sanctions freeze targeted individuals’ assets in the United States and make it illegal for American citizens to do business with them.

  • 2

    Internet blackout limits verification of protest death toll claims: Authorities imposed an internet blackout that makes it difficult to verify the death toll and claims from both sides.

  • 3

    Trump said he was told Iran would stop executions of protesters: Trump said Iranian officials told him there will be no executions and reiterated that it is “good news” that Iran will not be executing protesters.

Takeaways

The United States expanded sanctions on Iranian officials and energy-linked entities while protest-related killings and execution claims remained contested under an internet blackout and military tensions rose and then eased in Trump’s public rhetoric.

Topics

World & Politics Policy & Regulation International Affairs Climate & Environment Energy Security & Defense Human Rights

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