New UK Sanctions Against the Islamic Republic; James Cleverly: Our Support for Women in Iran Continues

On Friday, September 15, the UK government imposed sanctions on four officials and one company linked to the Iranian government, ahead of the anniversary of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini's death in custody of the Islamic Republic's morality police. The sanctioned officials include Alireza Zakani, the mayor of Tehran, Mohammad Mehdi Esmaeili, the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Mohammad Hashemi, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, and Saeed Montazer al-Mahdi, the spokesperson for the Iranian police (FARAJA). In addition to these officials, the company Abre Arvan was also sanctioned by the UK government. Previously, the US Treasury had sanctioned the technology company 'Abre Arvan', two of its founders, and an affiliated company for their role in facilitating internet censorship in Iran. James Cleverly, the UK Foreign Secretary, stated, 'One year after the tragic death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of Iran's morality police, I commend the courage of Iranian women in their ongoing struggle for fundamental freedoms.' He added, 'Today's sanctions against those responsible for Iran's oppressive laws send a clear message that the UK and our partners will continue to support Iranian women.' According to the UK government statement, the Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance is responsible for ensuring compliance with state-mandated dress codes by Iranians. For instance, Esmaeili has announced that actors who remove their hijab in public media or social networks cannot continue their acting careers. He also stated that businesses where female employees refuse to comply with mandatory hijab rules will be dealt with. The statement also noted that the spokesperson for the Iranian police warned that the Islamic Republic would 'decisively' deal with women who remove their hijab, including while driving. The statement referred to Abre Arvan as an internet cloud service provider responsible for providing technology used in the repression of the Iranian people. Abre Arvan is a key partner of the Iranian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and supports the development of a national intranet to disconnect the Iranian people from the global internet. The UK, in line with other Western countries, has so far imposed sanctions on 350 officials and entities of the Islamic Republic. Following Mahsa Amini's death in custody and the violent crackdown on peaceful Iranian protesters, Western countries have imposed several sanction packages against officials and entities responsible for repressing Iranians. The UK has also sanctioned the Iranian drone manufacturer 'Paravar Pars' and its managers, while Canada has sanctioned several officials of the Islamic Republic. The UK has sanctioned 13 individuals and entities affiliated with the Islamic Republic and expanded sanctions against the Islamic Republic without labeling the IRGC as 'terrorists'. Canada has sanctioned seven judges of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Iran for human rights violations.