Archive · 16 Jan 2026
US Expands Sanctions on Iran and Houthis
The United States has put more sanctions on important people and places in Iran and Yemen.
They are doing this because some Iranian leaders were involved in stopping big protests, and the Houthi group in Yemen has been attacking ships in the Red Sea.
The protests in Iran started because of high prices and have become very big, with many people dying.
The US says it will track money that Iranian leaders are sending to banks around the world.
The US also put sanctions on companies and people who were involved in moving money for Iran's oil and chemical sales.
The US wants to support the people of Iran who are asking for freedom and justice.
This is part of a bigger plan by the US to put pressure on Iran to stop its oil exports and prevent it from making nuclear weapons.
The new sanctions also target people and companies that help the Houthi group get money and supplies.
The US imposed sanctions on five Iranian officials and Fardis Prison for their roles in the crackdown on protests.
The Treasury Department sanctioned 18 individuals and entities tied to Iran's shadow banking networks, including Bank Melli and Shahr Bank.
Protests in Iran started over economic hardship and political repression, with security forces using live ammunition and attacking protesters in hospitals.
The US aims to support Iranian protesters and prevent nuclear weapon development through these sanctions.
The sanctions freeze assets under US jurisdiction and bar Americans from conducting transactions with the sanctioned entities.
The US also sanctioned 21 individuals, entities, and one vessel linked to Houthi funding networks, targeting their revenue generation and smuggling activities.
- Who
- US government, Iranian officials, Houthi rebels, protesters, and sanctioned entities
- What
- Imposition of sanctions on Iranian officials, entities, and Houthi funding networks
- When
- January 15-16, 2026, with protests starting on December 28, 2025
- Where
- Iran, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and globally
- Why
- To increase pressure on Tehran, support Iranian protesters, prevent nuclear weapon development, and disrupt Houthi funding
- Sanctioned Officials
- Five Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani, Mohammad Reza Hashemifar, Nematollah Bagheri, Azizollah Maleki, and Yadollah Buali
- Sanctioned Entities
- Fardis Prison, Bank Melli, Shahr Bank, and 18 individuals and entities tied to Iran's shadow banking networks
- Additional Sanctions
- 21 individuals, entities, and one vessel linked to Houthi funding networks
- Protest Deaths
- 2,435 protesters and 153 government-affiliated individuals verified by HRANA
- Protest Start Date
- December 28, 2025
- US Treasury Message
- Warning to Iranian leaders about tracking funds wired to banks worldwide
- US Stance
- Supports Iranian people's call for freedom and justice
- US Campaign
- Maximum pressure campaign to drive Iran's oil exports to zero and prevent nuclear weapon development
- Houthi Attacks
- Numerous assaults on vessels in the Red Sea since 2023
- Houthi Funding
- Revenue generation and smuggling networks for oil products, weapons, and dual-use equipment
Sources
US imposes sanctions on Iran over crackdown on protesters
US sanctions five Iranian officials over protest crackdown, warns on hidden funds - Telegraph India
US issues new Iran-related sanctions, US Treasury website shows
US Sanctions Iranian Officials Accused of Repressing Protests Against the Government
US Sanctions Iranian Officials Over Protest Crackdown, Oil Money Laundering
Trump administration imposes new sanctions on Iran's security chief Ali Larijani, senior IRGC officials
US tells UN all options on table, Iran warns it will respond to any aggression
US Slaps Sweeping Sanctions On Iran Over Protest Crackdown
Trump was told attack on Iran wouldn’t guarantee collapse of regime
US warns Iran ‘all options are on the table’ as Tehran's protest crackdown dominates UN meeting
US sanctions Iran officials, shadow banks over protests
Iran's Nationwide Protests Appear Smothered After Crackdown, Internet Outage
Trump was all set to strike Iran but paused. Here's why
Saudi, Qatar, Oman, Egypt: Arab States Rallying Against US-Iran Escalation
Is The Iran Crisis Over? Uncertainty Looms Over Possible US Action
At UN Security Council, US warns ‘all options’ open on Iran as Tehran rejects escalation
Ayatollah regime tortured me to say ‘I am a spy of the United States’: Journalist Batebi amid protests in Iran
Iranian Dissident Masih Alinejad Confronts Tehran Envoy At UNSC Meeting
Iran protests abate after deadly crackdown, residents and rights group say
Latest US sanctions target Houthi funding networks, Treasury says
