2023-09-15 16:54:42
Shortly before the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death, the USA and Great Britain announced nine sanctions against Iran. US President Biden also emphasized the US’s support for the people of Iran on Friday: “Today, as we commemorate Mahsa’s tragic death, we reaffirm our commitment to the courageous people of Iran as they continue their mission.” Amini died on September 16, 2022 after her arrest by the Iranian moral police.
Afterwards there were months of protests. “The Iranians alone will decide the fate of their country, but the United States will continue to stand with them,” Biden said. This includes “providing tools to support Iranians’ ability to advocate for their own future.”
According to Biden, the new US sanctions target “some of the worst human rights violators in Iran.” According to the US Treasury Department, 25 Iranians, three media outlets and an “internet research company” were added to the sanctions list. All of them are linked to the suppression of the protests after Amini’s death. Most of those sanctioned are senior representatives of the Iranian security forces and the Revolutionary Guard.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US sanctions were imposed in coordination with other countries, including Britain. London also announced sanctions against several senior Iranian politicians and officials on Friday. They were directed against “decision-makers responsible for the drafting and implementation” of Iran’s hijab law, the British Foreign Office said. Those affected include Iranian Culture Minister Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili and the mayor of Tehran, Aliresa Sakani.
“One year after the tragic death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of Iran’s moral police, I would like to pay tribute to the bravery of Iranian women who continue to fight for fundamental freedoms,” said British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. “Today’s sanctions against those responsible for Iran’s repressive laws send a clear message that the UK and our partners will continue to stand with Iranian women and denounce the oppression of their own people,” he added.
The 22-year-old Amini died on September 16, 2022 after being arrested by the Iranian moral police in the capital Tehran. She is said to have violated the strict regulations on wearing the Islamic headscarf. Her death sparked months of demonstrations across the country under the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom.”
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