Archive · 31 Jan 2026
US Sanctions Iranian Officials Over Protest Crackdown
The United States has punished some important people in Iran, including the interior minister Eskandar Momeni and other officials, for stopping protests in Iran.
The protests were happening because people were unhappy with the government.
The US says that these officials used force against peaceful protesters and arrested people who were fighting for their rights.
The US also punished a businessman, Babak Zanjani, and two digital currency exchanges for helping Iran move money around to avoid sanctions.
The European Union also took action against Iran, calling the Revolutionary Guards a 'terrorist organization.'
The US and EU say that the officials and groups they punished are responsible for the deaths of thousands of people during the protests.
The sanctions mean that these people and groups cannot do business with the US or use money in the US.
The US sanctioned Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and five other security officials for violently repressing protests.
Sanctions were also imposed on investor Babak Zanjani and two digital asset exchanges for money laundering and embezzlement.
The US accused Momeni of overseeing law enforcement forces responsible for the deaths of thousands of peaceful protesters.
The EU designated the Revolutionary Guards as a 'terrorist organization' and imposed visa bans and asset freezes on Iranian officials.
The sanctions freeze assets in the US and prohibit US companies and citizens from doing business with the sanctioned entities.
- Who
- Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, other security officials, investor Babak Zanjani, and digital asset exchanges
- What
- Sanctions imposed by the US for repressing protests and money laundering
- When
- January 30, 2024
- Where
- Iran
- Why
- For involvement in violent repression of peaceful protests, money laundering, and embezzlement
- Sanctioned Officials
- Eskandar Momeni, five security officials, Babak Zanjani, two digital asset exchanges
- Sanctioning Entities
- United States, European Union
- Reason for Sanctions
- Repression of peaceful protests, money laundering, embezzlement
- Protest Context
- Nationwide protests challenging Iran's government
- Estimated Protester Deaths
- Thousands (exact number disputed)
- Additional EU Action
- Designated Revolutionary Guards as a 'terrorist organization'
- Sanctions Impact
- Frozen assets, business prohibitions for US entities
Sources
US sanctions Iranian minister Eskandar Momeni over crackdown on protests after EU action
Amid High Tensions, US Sanctions Iran's Top Officials Over Protest Crackdown
US imposes sanctions on Iran’s interior minister, businessman
US Imposes Sanctions On Top Iranian Officials After Protest Violence