September Net

The United States is imposing sanctions on additional senior Iranian officials for human rights abuses and will restrict visas for current or former officials who abuse or detain peaceful protests, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday.

Pompeo denounced the recent violent crackdown by Iranian authorities against the widespread protests, and the Treasury Department on Thursday targeted two top Iranian judges with penalties.

Pompeo assailed Iranian officials for “hypocrisy” by depriving citizens, particularly ethnic and religious minorities of their constitutional rights.

He said he had predesignated Iran as a “country of particular concern” for religious freedom, a status that adds a layer of potential sanctions against the government. He also said the administration would enact travel bans on officials found to have violated human rights, as well as their families.

The sanctions announced by the Treasury Department freeze any assets the two judges may have in US jurisdictions and bar Americans from any transactions with the judges The sanctions will also affect foreigners doing business with the judges, who sit at the top of two branches of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.