On January 15, 2026, the United States imposed a fresh round of sweeping sanctions on Iran, targeting key architects of the regime's violent response to nationwide protests that have gripped the country since late December 2025. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the measures, stating they were directed by President Donald Trump to hold accountable those responsible for the "brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrators." The actions, coordinated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), hit senior security officials, including Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme Council for National Security, whom the US accuses of being among the first to call for violence against protesters.

The sanctions also extend to four regional commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and law enforcement forces, as well as Iran's notorious Fardis Prison, cited for cruel treatment of detainees, particularly women. In a broader strike against the regime's financial evasion tactics, 18 individuals and entities were designated for their role in "shadow banking" networks that allegedly launder billions in proceeds from Iranian oil and petrochemical sales, diverting funds away from the Iranian people.

The protests, initially sparked by economic woes including rampant inflation and the rial's collapse, have escalated into widespread anti-government demonstrations—the most significant challenge to the Islamic Republic since the 2022 Mahsa Amini uprising. Authorities imposed a near-total internet blackout and ramped up repression, with human rights groups reporting over 2,600 deaths and thousands arrested. The US emphasized its unwavering support for Iranians demanding freedom and justice, while tracking funds wired internationally to evade pressure.

Also Read: Iran Deploys Iraqi Militias to Crush Nationwide Protests Amid US Warnings

This escalation aligns with Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign, amid threats of further consequences if killings persist. Though protests have slowed under the weight of repression, the sanctions underscore heightened US resolve to counter Iran's human rights abuses and economic opacity, potentially intensifying global diplomatic tensions.

Also Read: IndiGo Flight to Delhi Escapes Iran Airspace Closure By Minutes