On January 15, 2026, the U.S. government announced new sanctions against Iranian officials in response to the repression of protests that have been sweeping the country for weeks, leaving dozens dead and injured, as well as leading to mass arrests.
The announcement coincided with statements by President Donald Trump, who claimed to have halted the execution of one of the protesters sentenced to death, amid growing diplomatic tension between Washington and Tehran.
Protests in Iran: tension, deaths, and internet blackout
Iran is going thru one of its most critical moments in years, with massive protests against the regime that have been met with force by the authorities. According to international reports, the Iranian government cut off internet service in several regions to limit the organization and dissemination of the protests.
The United States has publicly expressed its support for the protesters, and even Donald Trump posted messages calling for the protests to continue, assuring that “help is on its way”.
Tensions escalated when Iranian officials recalled the previous attack on a U.S. air base in Qatar and circulated an image of the assassination attempt on Trump during a campaign rally, accompanied by the message: “Now the bullet won’t miss.”
The United States sanctions Iranian security and financial system officials
On Thursday, the U.S. Treasury Department confirmed the imposition of economic sanctions against senior security officials and those responsible for Iranian banking networks.
According to the AFP news agency, those sanctioned are accused of:
- Orchestrate a violent crackdown on peaceful protests.
- Laundering billions of dollars in oil revenues.
- Systematically violating human rights in Iran.
Iranian officials sanctioned by the United States
Among the main individuals singled out are:
Ali Larijani
Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Responsible for coordinating the regime’s response to the protests and for publicly calling for the repression of protesters.
Mohammad Reza Hashemifar
Commander of the Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Lorestan Province.
Nematollah Bagheri
Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Lorestan.
Azizollah Maleki and Yadollah Buali
Commanders of the LEF and the IRGC in Fars Province, where Shiraz—one of the main centers of resistance against the Iranian regime—is located.
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Trump reaffirms support for protesters in Iran
U.S. support was reiterated by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who stated that the Trump administration:
“Firmly support the Iranian people in their struggle for freedom and justice”.
The sanctions seek to financially isolate those responsible for the repression and pressure the Iranian regime at a time of high internal instability.
Trump celebrates halt to Iranian protester’s execution
President Donald Trump publicly celebrated the suspension of the execution of a protester in Iran who had been sentenced to death for his participation in the protests.
Thru his Truth Social account, Trump wrote: “This is good news. I hope you continue”.
The statement was issued amid strong international criticism of the use of the death penalty against protesters in Iran.
A Canadian citizen has been reported dead during the protests
The AFP news agency reported on Thursday that a Canadian citizen had died in Iran, allegedly at the hands of Iranian authorities.
From Ottawa, the Canadian government confirmed the death: “I just learned that a Canadian citizen has died in Iran at the hands of Iranian authorities”.
The case has sparked new international condemnations and calls to investigate possible abuses of force during the crackdown.
U.S. sanctions, coupled with diplomatic pressure from allied countries, place Iran at the center of a political, social, and human rights crisis, as protests continue and international scrutiny of the regime’s actions intensifies.
