Topline
The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions Thursday against several senior Iranian officials behind the country’s deadly crackdown on protests that have reportedly killed thousands, as President Donald Trump has shifted away from his threats to conduct strikes against Iran.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent looks on as President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a roundtable discussion with farmers in the Cabinet Room of the White House on December 08, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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Key Facts
Several officials who oversee Iran’s security forces were sanctioned, including Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani, who “is responsible for coordinating the response to the protests on behalf of the Supreme Leader of Iran and has publicly called for Iranian security forces to use force to repress peaceful protesters,” the Treasury Department said in a press release.
Eighteen individuals and entities “who play critical roles in laundering the proceeds of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical sales to foreign markets” to finance the regime were also sanctioned, the agency said.
The sanctions freeze all assets and interests in assets that are in control of U.S. people or entities and generally prohibit any transactions within the U.S. that involve the sanctioned individuals and entities, according to the Treasury Department.
The sanctions come as Trump’s threats to attack Iran seemed to cool—he told reporters Wednesday he was told “on good authority” the killing of protesters by Iran’s security forces “is stopping, and there’s no plan for executions.”
Crucial Quote
“President Trump stands with the people of Iran and has ordered Treasury to sanction members of the regime,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a video message announcing the penalties. “Iran’s leaders have brutally responded to peaceful demonstrations with violence, from mass shootings in the street to attacks on wounded victims and hospitals.”
Key Background
Protests began in Iran in December over faltering economic conditions, including high inflation and the near-collapse of the rial. Thousands have reportedly been killed by Iran’s security forces amid the crackdown. Trump has blamed the killings in threatening potential military action against the regime in recent days. The possibility of an attack seemed to reach a high point Wednesday, as reports swirled that Iran was preparing to execute a 26-year-old protester. Some personnel were told to leave the U.S. Air Force base in Qatar, according to Reuters, and some European allies said the U.S. had contacted them for intelligence in preparation for a possible attack, the Washington Post reported. After telling protesters on Truth Social on Tuesday “HELP IS ON ITS WAY,” by the end of the day Wednesday, Trump dialed back his aggressive rhetoric, but said military action was still a possibility. “We’re going to watch and see what the process is. But we were given a very good, very good statement by people that are aware of what’s going on,” Trump told reporters. “We have been informed by very important sources on the other side, and they’ve said the killing has stopped and the executions won’t take place . . . And I hope it’s true.”
Further Reading
Trump Says Iran Currently Has ‘No Plans’ For Executing Protesters (Forbes)
Trump Tells Iranian Protesters ‘Help Is On Its Way’—Cancels Meetings With Country’s Officials (Forbes)
Trump Says Any Country Doing Business With Iran Will Face 25% Tariff (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2026/01/15/us-sanctions-iranian-officials-over-deadly-protest-crackdown/
