The Takeaway: US weighs options amid Iran’s protest crackdown
The Biden administration has rolled out new sanctions on Iranian officials linked to the widening crackdown on protesters, but is facing pressure to do more from activists who want the regime toppled.
In the 40 days since Mahsa Amini’s death in custody set off nationwide unrest, the Biden administration has imposed a slew of sanctions targeting those Iranians deemed responsible for the state-sponsored repression that rights groups say has left some 250 people dead.
New designations on Wednesday took aim at Revolutionary Guards commanders, prison officials and a provincial governor, among others. In his announcement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged the United States would continue imposing costs on those involved in the brutal protest crackdown.
“It’s very unlikely that individual designations will change the trajectory of Iran’s crackdown against protesters,” said Henry Rome, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
“But the sanctions can still be valuable in disseminating information about the authorities’ abuses, strengthening international consensus, and at least demonstrating that Washington is paying attention,” he added.
