The United States government unveiled a fresh round of sanctions on Thursday, targeting Iranian officials and entities tied to the Tehran regime. This move comes in response to the harsh suppression of demonstrators and the use of covert financial networks to bypass international sanctions.
The Department of State and the Department of the Treasury revealed that Washington has designated Fardis Prison—a facility notorious for severe abuses against women—as part of these measures. The prison is recognized as a site where cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment has been inflicted.
Simultaneously, the Treasury imposed sanctions on several high-ranking Iranian security officials, including Ali Larijani, the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SCNS), for his role in the violent crackdown on citizens advocating for their fundamental rights.
Impact on Iran’s "Shadow Banking" Networks
The sanctions extend to 18 individuals and entities associated with Iran's so-called "shadow banking" networks. These networks are used to launder proceeds from oil and petrochemical sales, circumventing international restrictions.
These actions are part of the implementation of the National Security Presidential Memorandum-2 of 2025, aimed at intensifying financial pressure on Tehran and limiting its access to global markets.
Support for Iranian Protesters
In an official statement, the U.S. government expressed solidarity with the Iranian people: "The United States stands with the people of Iran, who are protesting for their inherent rights. The regime continues to fund destabilizing and malign activities worldwide, rather than investing in the welfare of its own population."
Washington reiterated its commitment to denying the Iranian regime access to financial networks and the international banking system as long as internal repression and human rights violations persist.
Legal Basis for the Sanctions
The measures are enforced under several executive orders and existing laws, including:
- E.O. 13553, addressing sanctions for severe human rights abuses in Iran.
- E.O. 13876, authorizing sanctions against Iran's Supreme Leader and his associates.
- E.O. 13902, targeting Iran’s financial, petroleum, and petrochemical sectors.
- The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on social media platform X that the sanctions target officials responsible for violence against protesters and clandestine financial structures supporting the regime.
These new measures strengthen Washington's strategy of exerting pressure on Tehran amid ongoing internal protests and escalating regional tensions.
Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Sanctions on Iran
What prompted the U.S. to impose new sanctions on Iran?
The U.S. imposed new sanctions in response to Iran's violent crackdown on protesters and its use of illicit financial networks to evade international sanctions.
Who are the key figures targeted by these sanctions?
Key figures include Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, alongside other high-ranking security officials.
How do these sanctions impact Iran's "shadow banking" networks?
The sanctions target individuals and entities involved in laundering proceeds from oil and petrochemical sales, thereby disrupting Iran's "shadow banking" operations.