US Imposes Iran Sanctions Amid Intensifying 'Hijab Suspicious Death' Protests

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] As anti-government protests continue across Iran on the 40th day since the suspicious death of Mahsa Amini, who was dragged away by police for not wearing her hijab properly, the United States has announced sanctions against Iranian government officials and organizations responsible for suppressing the protesters.

On the 26th (local time), according to CNN and others, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced that it had sanctioned officials including the commander of the intelligence organization and the deputy operations commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran, as well as two organizations.

The sanctions also include two officials such as the governor of Sistan and Baluchestan Province in southeastern Iran, where the highest number of deaths occurred, and ten other officials including Hedayat Farzadi, the warden of Evin Prison where hundreds of anti-government protesters are detained. Evin Prison is notorious for detaining political prisoners and anti-government figures and for its inhumane treatment; on the 15th, a suspicious fire incident occurred there, resulting in over 60 casualties.

Brian Nelson, the Treasury Department’s Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said, "It has been 40 days since the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, but Iranians are bravely continuing their protests against the Iranian government's brutal crackdown and internet shutdowns. We will hold the Iranian government accountable for its cruel repression and oppression, including the killing of children."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The United States also raised the possibility of Russian involvement in Iran’s crackdown on protesters. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said at a briefing that day, "We are concerned that the Russian government may have advised on methods to suppress and oppress resistance." John Kirby, White House National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications, who attended the briefing, stated, "Russia may be considering some form of support to help Iran crush resistance forces," adding, "We are seeing signs that they are considering training for repression."

In Iran, anti-government protests have continued for six weeks since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on the 16th of last month, three days after she was arrested for not wearing her hijab.

On the 40th day since Amini’s death, 10,000 people gathered in Saqqez, Kurdistan Province in western Iran, where Amini’s grave is located, to condemn the government. Iranians believe, based on Islamic culture, that the soul of the deceased briefly returns on the 40th day after death, and they hold memorial events to honor the departed.

The protesters mourned Amini’s death while chanting slogans such as "Women, Life, Freedom." The semi-official ISNA news agency reported physical clashes between security forces and mourners, and that internet access in the area was cut off for security reasons.

British broadcaster BBC reported that Iranian police continued to use force to suppress protesters on the same day, firing tear gas and live ammunition. Citing anonymous witnesses, the BBC reported, "Security forces shot mourners gathered at the cemetery, and dozens were arrested."

The Iran Human Rights (IHR), a human rights organization headquartered in Norway, reported that at least 234 people, including 29 children, have died so far during the violent crackdown on protesters.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.