The U.S. Sanctions Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Connection with 'Detention of American Citizens'

The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department announced on Monday that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former President of Iran, and the Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic have been sanctioned for their involvement in the detention of American citizens in Iran during his presidency. Brian Nelson, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury for Financial and Terrorism, stated in this regard: 'Today's action targets Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his role in the wrongful detention of our citizens, which caused immense pain and suffering to the victims and their families.' He further added: 'We are firmly committed to them and their families and are determined in our efforts to hold accountable those responsible for these actions.' The Treasury Department's statement cited Ahmadinejad's appointment of two intelligence ministers, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei and Heydar Moslehi, and the Ministry of Intelligence's involvement in the kidnapping of Bob Levinson and three American hikers named Shane Bauer, Joshua Fattal, and Sarah Shourd as reasons for the sanctions. The Treasury Department also called for a full account of the events from the time of Levinson's capture to his 'possible death,' highlighting the Islamic Republic's refusal to respond regarding Levinson's status and the unbearable suffering inflicted on his family. Additionally, the Ministry of Intelligence was sanctioned for its role in or issuing orders for the wrongful detention or kidnapping of American citizens. Before the Treasury's statement was released, Joe Biden welcomed the release of five dual-national American-Iranian citizens and emphasized the need for the Islamic Republic to be accountable for 'those who did not return today,' referring to Bob Levinson, and announced the sanctions against Ahmadinejad and the Ministry of Intelligence under the 'Levinson Act' due to their involvement in these detentions, asserting that the U.S. will continue to impose costs on the Islamic Republic for their 'provocative actions' in the region. Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, also referenced the 16 years since Bob Levinson's kidnapping in a separate statement, urging the Islamic Republic to provide 'a complete account of what happened to Bob Levinson.' According to him, the United States will use the 'Levinson Act' and other tools to promote 'accountability' for the Islamic Republic of Iran and other regimes that use the brutal practice of wrongful detention.