The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on ten Iranian officials, including Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and several police commanders, for their alleged involvement in the violent suppression of recent protests.
The measures, announced by the UK Foreign Office, include asset freezes and travel bans targeting members of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (FARAJA), Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officers, judges, and an IRGC-linked businessman.
UK Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper stated the sanctions aim to hold Iranian authorities accountable for “recent brutality against protesters.” She praised the courage of Iranians demonstrating peacefully and condemned the “shocking scenes of violence” reported globally.
Iranian authorities have described the widespread protests, which intensified in early January amid economic strain, as “riots” instigated by the United States and Israel. The government has acknowledged thousands of deaths during the unrest, releasing a list of 2,986 fatalities out of 3,117 it says were killed, many of which it attributes to “terrorist acts” or security forces.
Independent monitors, including the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, report significantly higher death tolls, estimating at least 6,842 fatalities, primarily protesters killed by security forces.
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