The United States has imposed a new round of sanctions on Iranian officials accused of orchestrating a violent crackdown on nationwide protests, sending a clear signal that the Trump Administration stands firmly with the Iranian people in their pursuit of freedom and justice.

Acting at the direction of President Donald Trump, the Treasury Department announced sanctions targeting key Iranian leaders involved in suppressing demonstrations that erupted in December 2025. The protests, driven by economic hardship, corruption, and demands for basic freedoms, were met with force by security units in multiple provinces, including Lorestan and Fars. U.S. officials say the sanctioned individuals and entities played direct roles in planning and executing the repression.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent delivered a blunt warning to Iran’s leadership, accusing regime figures of looting their own population while attempting to shield stolen wealth overseas. In a video statement, Bessent said U.S. authorities are closely monitoring financial flows linked to Iranian leaders and tracking funds being wired to international banks, emphasizing that accountability will follow those responsible for abuse.

The sanctions target a total of 18 Iranian officials and entities tied to security forces and enforcement networks used to silence dissent. Treasury officials stated that every available financial tool will be used to disrupt the regime’s ability to fund repression, including efforts to launder oil revenues that sustain internal crackdowns and enrich senior figures.

Alongside the sanctions, the administration reiterated its support for the Iranian people and introduced additional economic pressure aimed at isolating the regime. Measures include a 25 percent tariff on countries that continue to trade with Iran, designed to curb revenue streams that fuel authoritarian control rather than public welfare.

U.S. officials stressed that the actions are not directed at the Iranian population, but at those who profit from tyranny and violence. The message from Washington, they said, is unambiguous: the United States will stand with peaceful protesters, expose corruption, and hold accountable those who brutalize their own citizens to cling to power.