The United States Sanctions Ali Larijani and Several Other Key Figures Behind the Suppression of Protesters in Iran

The United States has sanctioned several senior officials of the Iranian regime, including Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic, the Fardis (Kuchoui) prison in Karaj, and the regime's hidden banking networks due to their involvement in suppressing protests. On Thursday, January 25, the U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions against senior security officials of the Iranian regime accused of organizing the violent suppression of ongoing nationwide protests, as well as a network of companies and individuals involved in laundering the regime's oil and petrochemical revenues. The U.S. State Department also issued a statement emphasizing the ongoing efforts of "the brave people of Iran to achieve their basic rights," noting that "the Iranian regime has responded with violence and ruthless repression against its own people." This action, carried out by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), comes as protests that began in early January continue across Iran. Iranian protesters, who have taken to the streets amid severe inflation and widespread economic problems, are demanding basic freedoms and economic assistance, facing unprecedented repression and killings by the regime, resulting in many deaths, injuries, and arrests. Scott Busent, U.S. Treasury Secretary, emphasized in a statement that the United States supports the Iranian people's efforts to achieve freedom and justice. Busent stated, "At the direction of President Trump, the U.S. Treasury is sanctioning the main leaders of the [regime] who have participated in the brutal crackdown against the Iranian people." He added, "The Treasury will use every tool to target those involved in the regime's brutal repression of human rights." Among those sanctioned is Ali Larijani, who was one of the first figures in the regime to publicly call for the use of force against demonstrators and coordinated the overall response on behalf of Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic. The U.S. Treasury also sanctioned several provincial commanders of the police and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The statement from the Treasury details shocking accounts of crimes and violent actions by government forces in these provinces, identifying officials and their affiliated organizations as "responsible for thousands of deaths and injuries." In a parallel action, the Office of Foreign Assets Control targeted 18 individuals and entities linked to shadow banking operations associated with Bank Melli and Bank Shahr. These networks are accused of facilitating tens of billions of dollars in annual trade and laundering revenues from oil and petrochemical sales. The Treasury stated that these funds support the regime's repression and foreign terrorist groups instead of addressing the economic suffering of Iranians. Key members of the Bank Melli network include: Nikan Pajvak Aria Kish Company (head of the network based in Iran), Empire International Trading Company (based in the UAE), Fardis (Kuchoui) prison in Karaj, Golden Mist PTE. Limited Company (based in Singapore). The Bank Shahr network consists of: HMS FZ-LLC (based in the UAE), Hormoz Energy Trading Company (based in Iran), several senior officials named Masoud Mahdavi Ardekani (Chairman), Masoud Shamami (Director), and Akbar Giyouri (Vice Chairman), several shell companies based in the UAE, and Nenshan Company based in the UK. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned about the killing of protesters against the Islamic Republic and its repressive apparatus. He has firmly stated that if the Iranian government begins killing protesters, the United States will assist the people. He emphasized, "We will hit them very hard, exactly where it hurts the most. This does not mean sending ground troops, but it will be a very heavy blow." On Tuesday, January 23, President Trump also issued a clear and firm message on the social media platform Truth Social, urging Iranian protesters to continue their protests and seize institutions; "Help is on the way." In this message to "patriotic Iranians," President Trump wrote: "Continue to protest and seize your institutions." He also urged protesters to document the names of "murderers and suppressors" and warned that these individuals would "pay a heavy price." The U.S. President further announced that in response to the killing of protesters, he has canceled "all meetings and contacts with Iranian officials." He emphasized that this decision will continue until the "meaningless killing of protesters stops." At the end of his message, President Trump added in a clear tone: "Help is on the way." Despite this unprecedented repression, videos shared on social media indicate that the widespread uprising of the Iranian people against the Islamic Republic continues despite killings, arrests, and communication blackouts. This shows that the protests have not subsided, and large segments of society continue to stand against the government. Observers believe that what is happening in Iran today represents one of the most serious challenges to the survival of the Islamic Republic in over four decades.