US sanctions Iranian officials over protest crackdown

Putin speaks to Israel, Iran leaders to help 'de-escalate'

FE Team | Published: January 17, 2026 00:12:42

WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (Agencies): The United States (US) imposed sanctions Thursday on Iranian security officials and financial networks, accusing them of orchestrating a violent crackdown on peaceful protests and laundering billions in oil revenues.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the measures in the wake of the biggest anti-government protests in the history of the Islamic republic, although the demonstrations appear to have diminished over the last few days in the face of repression and an almost week-long internet blackout.
"The United States stands firmly behind the Iranian people in their call for freedom and justice," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement, adding that the action was taken at President Donald Trump's direction.
Among those sanctioned is Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme Council for National Security, whom Washington accused of coordinating the crackdown and calling for force against protesters.
Four regional commanders of Iran's Law Enforcement Forces and Revolutionary Guard were also sanctioned for their roles in the crackdown in Lorestan and Fars provinces.
Security forces in Fars "have killed countless peaceful demonstrators" with hospitals "so inundated with gunshot wound patients that no other types of patients can be admitted," the Treasury said.
The Treasury additionally designated 18 individuals and entities accused of operating "shadow banking" networks that launder proceeds from Iranian oil sales through front companies in the UAE, Singapore and Britain.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday held calls with the leaders of Israel and Iran, the Kremlin said, offering mediation amid protests in Iran that have raised fears of a military confrontation in the region.
Independent monitors say Iranian security forces have killed thousands in a forceful response to nationwide anti-government protests-a crackdown that prompted threats of military action by the United States, Israel's key ally.
Iran has repeatedly accused the United States and Israel of inciting the unrest and trying to undermine the Islamic republic's national unity.
Iran and Israel fought a brief war in June that saw unprecedented Israeli attacks on Iranian military and nuclear facilities. The United States had briefly joined those strikes, hitting three major Iranian nuclear sites.
On Friday, Russia announced Putin was in contact with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a bid to cool tensions between the two rivals.
Son of Iran's late shah says Islamic republic 'will fall,' urges action
The son of Iran's late shah said Friday he was confident the Islamic republic would fall in the face of mass protests and called for intervention.
"The Islamic Republic will fall -- not if, but when," Reza Pahlavi told a news conference in Washington.
"I will return to Iran."
Pahlavi has lived in exile in the United States since the 1979 Islamic revolution toppled his pro-Western father.
Many protesters have chanted Pahlavi's name in mass protests that have swept the country and been ruthlessly repressed.
Pahlavi has said he wants to be a figurehead to lead a transition to a secular democracy, although he has plenty of detractors.