US imposes sanctions on Iran's morality police, days after Mahsa Amini's loss of life | World News

The USA on Thursday imposed sanctions on Iran's morality police over allegations of abuse of Iranian girls, saying it held the unit liable for the loss of life of a 22-year-old in custody that has sparked protests round Iran.

The U.S. Treasury Division additionally accused the morality police of violating the rights of peaceable protesters and mentioned it had imposed sanctions on seven senior Iranian navy and safety officers, together with the chief of the Iranian military's floor forces.

Public outrage in Iran over Mahsa Amini's loss of life final week confirmed no signal of abating after days of protests in Tehran and different cities, with protesters torching police stations and autos earlier on Thursday and studies of safety forces coming beneath assault.

Amini, a Kurdish lady, was arrested by the morality police in Tehran for sporting "unsuitable apparel" and fell right into a coma whereas in detention. The authorities have mentioned they'd examine the reason for her loss of life.

"Mahsa Amini was a brave lady whose loss of life in Morality Police custody was yet one more act of brutality by the Iranian regime's safety forces in opposition to its personal folks," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen mentioned in a press release.

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"The Iranian authorities wants to finish its systemic persecution of ladies and permit peaceable protest," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned in a separate assertion.

Iran's Mission to the United Nations didn't instantly reply to a request for touch upon the sanctions.

A senior State Division official, talking to reporters on the situation of anonymity, mentioned there can be extra steps within the coming days however didn't present any particulars.

Additionally Learn | Video: Iran protesters set hearth to police station as hijab unrest spreads

Requested if the U.S. authorities was prepared to supply Iranians with web service by way of satellite tv for pc, the official mentioned: "We're what we are able to do to supply higher assist to those that try to precise themselves peacefully... and we'll have extra to say within the coming days."

Entry to social media and a few content material is tightly restricted in Iran and web monitoring group NetBlocks reported "near-total" disruption to web connectivity within the capital of the Kurdish area on Monday, linking it to the protests.

The senior officers designated included the morality police's head, Mohammad Rostami Cheshmeh Gachi; the commander of the Iranian military's floor forces, Kiyumars Heidari; and Esmail Khatib, Iran's minister of intelligence, the Treasury mentioned.

It recognized the others as Haj Ahmad Mirzaei, head of the morality police's Tehran division throughout Amini's detention and loss of life; Salar Abnoush, deputy commander of Iran's hardline Basij militia; and Qasem Rezaei and Manouchehr Amanollahi of Iran's Legislation Enforcement Forces.

All property and pursuits in property of these designated that fall beneath U.S. jurisdiction was blocked and have to be reported to the Treasury, the division mentioned.

Overseas monetary establishments that knowingly facilitate a big transaction or present important providers for these sanctioned might be topic to U.S. penalties, it added.