U.S. sanctions Iranian regime official for human rights abuse

                 

The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday issued new sanctions on one the Iranian regime's official for his instrumental role in the censorship and repression in Iran.

Morteza Tamaddon has been “personally responsible” for harassing Iranian political opponents, censoring free speech, and threatening political opponents of the ruling regime, according to the Treasury Department.

It said any U.S. assets held by Tamaddon would be frozen and Americans would be prohibited from doing business with him.

Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen said the new sanctions are part of an effort to hold Iran accountable for its numerous and growing human rights abuses, which include the harassment, imprisonment, and execution of hundreds of Iranians each year.

“The United States is keenly focused on promoting opportunities for the Iranian people to fully exercise their universal rights,” Cohen said in a statement. “We will continue building on the U.S. government’s longstanding efforts to contest the Iranian government censorship of the Iranian people.”