Skip to main content

Iran’s morality police hit with US sanctions as nationwide protests rage

The sanctions come less than a week after Mahsa Amini's death in custody of the morality police.
A picture obtained by AFP outside Iran on Sept. 21, 2022, shows Iranian demonstrators burning a rubbish bin in the capital Tehran during a protest for Mahsa Amini, days after she died in police custody.

NEW YORK — The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on Iran’s so-called morality police following the death in custody of a 22-year-old Iranian woman detained for violating the country’s hijab rules.  

The Treasury Department accused the morality police, the Iranian law enforcement unit that enforces the conservative dress code, of “abuse and violence against Iranian women and the violation of the rights of peaceful Iranian protesters.”  

The department’s announcement cited Mahsa Amini, who died Friday in northern Tehran after she was detained three days earlier by Iran’s morality police for allegedly wearing a hijab improperly.

Witnesses say she was beaten in police custody. Iranian authorities claim she died of a heart attack, but her family says she had no health conditions before her arrest.

Ahead of his trip to New York City for the UN General Assembly this week, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi spoke to Amini’s family and said the authorities would investigate the cause of her death. On Tuesday, a top United Nations official called for an independent investigation. 

In a statement on Thursday, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen called Amini "a courageous woman whose death in morality police custody was yet another act of brutality by the Iranian regime’s security forces against its own people."

“We condemn this unconscionable act in the strongest terms and call on the Iranian government to end its violence against women and its ongoing violent crackdown on free expression and assembly,” Yellen said.  

The United States on Thursday also imposed sanctions on seven senior leaders of Iran’s security organizations accused of routinely using violence to suppress peaceful protesters, political dissidents, women’s rights activists and members of the Baha’i community. Those blacklisted include the intelligence minister and the commander of the Iranian army's ground forces. 

Speaking to reporters Thursday about the sanctions, a senior State Department official said to expect “more steps” in the coming days, including from partner countries.  

Protests over Amini’s death have spread to dozens of cities across Iran, where women are risking arrest by burning their hijabs and cutting their hair in a show of defiance. State television reported at least 26 people had been killed in the protests, including members of the police and Basij paramilitary forces.  

In a press conference in New York City on Thursday, Raisi claimed his government was “safeguarding the rights of every citizen” in Iran. He went on to accuse the United States of double standards on human rights. 

Join hundreds of Middle East professionals with Al-Monitor PRO.

Business and policy professionals use PRO to monitor the regional economy and improve their reports, memos and presentations. Try it for free and cancel anytime.

Already a Member? Sign in

Free

The Middle East's Best Newsletters

Join over 50,000 readers who access our journalists dedicated newsletters, covering the top political, security, business and tech issues across the region each week.
Delivered straight to your inbox.

Free

What's included:
Our Expertise

Free newsletters available:

  • The Takeaway & Week in Review
  • Middle East Minute (AM)
  • Daily Briefing (PM)
  • Business & Tech Briefing
  • Security Briefing
  • Gulf Briefing
  • Israel Briefing
  • Palestine Briefing
  • Turkey Briefing
  • Iraq Briefing
Expert

Premium Membership

Join the Middle East's most notable experts for premium memos, trend reports, live video Q&A, and intimate in-person events, each detailing exclusive insights on business and geopolitical trends shaping the region.

$25.00 / month
billed annually

Become Member Start with 1-week free trial
What's included:
Our Expertise AI-driven

Memos - premium analytical writing: actionable insights on markets and geopolitics.

Live Video Q&A - Hear from our top journalists and regional experts.

Special Events - Intimate in-person events with business & political VIPs.

Trend Reports - Deep dive analysis on market updates.

All premium Industry Newsletters - Monitor the Middle East's most important industries. Prioritize your target industries for weekly review:

  • Capital Markets & Private Equity
  • Venture Capital & Startups
  • Green Energy
  • Supply Chain
  • Sustainable Development
  • Leading Edge Technology
  • Oil & Gas
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Banking

We also offer team plans. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team.

Already a Member? Sign in

Security Briefing Security Briefing

Security Briefing

Middle East defense and security in your inbox

Trend Reports

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (4th R) attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on February 22, 2019. (Photo by HOW HWEE YOUNG / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HOW HWEE YOUNG/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

From roads to routers: The future of China-Middle East connectivity

A general view shows the solar plant in Uyayna, north of Riyadh, on March 29, 2018. - On March 27, Saudi announced a deal with Japan's SoftBank to build the world's biggest solar plant. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

Regulations on Middle East renewable energy industry starting to take shape

Start your PRO membership today.

Join the Middle East's top business and policy professionals to access exclusive PRO insights today.

Join Al-Monitor PRO Start with 1-week free trial