“Anniversary of Amini’s tragic death sparks international response, as sanctions target Iranian officials and entities”

On September 15, 2023, the US and UK imposed new rounds of sanctions on Iran, marking the one-year anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death in the custody of the country’s “morality police”. The 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman died on September 16, 2022, after being detained for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress code for women. Her death ignited a wave of nationwide protests and calls for reform, which were met with severe repression by Iranian authorities.

Amini’s death sparked what became one of the largest anti-government protests in Iran in recent years. These protests, which spread across the country, were met with brutal violence, mass arrests, and widespread internet shutdowns. In anticipation of unrest surrounding the anniversary, Iranian security forces were deployed to her hometown.

In response to the violent crackdown on protesters, the US, UK, and the EU have each imposed several rounds of sanctions on individuals and organizations linked to Iran’s suppression of dissent.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Amini’s death, calling it a “tragic and senseless” act. He stated, “Mahsa’s death sparked demonstrations across Iran that were met with unspeakable violence, mass arrests, systemic internet disruptions, and censorship by the Iranian regime.” Blinken also emphasized that Canada, Australia, and other international partners had joined in imposing sanctions targeting those responsible for repressing Iranians’ human rights.

The US Treasury Department announced sanctions on over 25 individuals and entities, including key figures from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Law Enforcement Forces (LEF), as well as individuals responsible for the country’s internet blockade and state-controlled media outlets.

The list of sanctioned individuals includes Saeed Montazerolmehdi, spokesperson for the LEF, Gholamali Mohammadi, head of Iran’s Prisons Organization, and Alireza Abedinejad, CEO of Douran Software Technologies. Additionally, prominent state-run media organizations such as Press TV, Tasnim News Agency, and Fars News were also targeted.

The sanctions reflect the ongoing international effort to hold Iran accountable for its treatment of protesters and its suppression of free speech, as well as the Iranian regime’s continued crackdown on dissent in the wake of Amini’s death.