US targets Iranian officials with new wave of sanctions
The sanctions targeting 14 individuals and three entities came as Iranian mourners marked 40 days since Mahsa Amini’s death in custody.
The United States on Wednesday unveiled a new tranche of sanctions targeting Revolutionary Guard commanders, a provincial governor and other Iranian officials involved in the state’s brutal crackdown on protesters.
The sanctions come as Iran marks the end of the traditional mourning period for Mahsa Amini, whose death 40 days ago in the custody of Iran’s morality police set off nationwide protests against Iran's clerical regime. In Amini’s hometown of Saqez, security forces reportedly opened fire on mourners who gathered in the thousands on Wednesday to pay their respects at her gravesite.
“We join her family and the Iranian people for a day of mourning and reflection,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
“The United States is committed to supporting the Iranian people and ensuring that those responsible for the brutal crackdown on the ongoing nationwide protests in Iran are held accountable,” Blinken said.
