Pompeo: We strive to ensure sanctions do not harm the people of Iran

Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated that Washington is working to sanction the leaders of the Islamic Republic and human rights violators in Iran in a way that does not harm ordinary people. The Persian Twitter account of the U.S. State Department on Friday, March 3, reflected Mr. Pompeo's response to a question from an Iranian user of this social network, who asked why the United States does not sanction those Iranian government entities involved in 'violating citizens' rights,' such as the Revolutionary Guard, the Ministry of Intelligence, and the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). In response, the U.S. Secretary of State emphasized that it is primarily the leaders of the Islamic Republic who must defend the human rights of their people, which causes distress to him and 'hundreds of millions of Americans who are upset that Iranian leaders do not protect their people's rights.' Pompeo then stressed that the United States has 'done its part' by 'sanctioning over 140 individuals and entities in Iran.' Last October, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned the Revolutionary Guard for what it called support for 'terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Taliban.' Since then, the circle of sanctions has tightened, and many institutions and figures in the Islamic Republic have been sanctioned, including Sadegh Larijani, the head of Iran's judiciary, who was also depicted on the Persian Twitter account of the U.S. State Department as one of the 'human rights violators' in Iran. Mr. Pompeo further stated that the U.S. wants sanctions to be implemented in a way that 'does not harm ordinary people in Iran, but rather punishes only the bad actors and leaders of the Islamic Republic who have led Iran down a path of failure over the past forty years since the revolution.' These remarks come as various political opposition groups and human rights activists criticize U.S. economic sanctions against Iran. For instance, Shirin Ebadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has emphasized that economic sanctions 'make the Iranian people poorer.' However, Ms. Ebadi has also defended human rights sanctions against Iranian officials and the prevention of broadcasting Iranian television programs via satellite. Additionally, in July of this year, some opponents of the Islamic Republic wrote a letter to Mike Pompeo requesting sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting due to 'human rights violations.' Mr. Pompeo ultimately addressed the Iranian people, stating: 'We will continue to seek out and identify the offenders and organizations that have caused corruption in your country and worsened your living conditions. And when we find a way to do this, the United States is ready to cooperate with the people of Iran regarding sanctions and all issues related to human rights within Iran.'