Treasury Sanctions Two Senior Iranian Officials for Serious Human Rights Abuses

The U.S. Departments of Treasury and State today announced the designation of Hassan Firouzabadi, Chairman of Iran's Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Abdollah Araqi, the Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ground Force, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13553 for being responsible for or complicit in serious human rights abuses in Iran. “The Iranian people have suffered tremendously at the hands of senior officials, who instead of protecting their basic rights have ordered and orchestrated widespread, serious human rights abuses aimed at silencing criticism and punishing dissent,” said Office of Foreign Assets Control Director Adam J. Szubin. “In support of the Iranian people's quest for justice and accountability, we are taking further action today to expose the involvement of senior Iranian government officials in serious human rights abuses.” Signed by President Obama in September 2010, E.O. 13553 targets serious human rights abuses by officials of the Government of Iran and persons acting on behalf of the Government of Iran since the June 2009 election. As a result of today's action, U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with Firouzabadi or Araqi and any assets they may have under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen. The designees are also subject to visa sanctions by the Department of State. State Department Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Michael Posner added, “Today's action underscores our enduring commitment to hold accountable Iranian government officials responsible for or complicit in serious human rights abuses. Through today's designations, we affirm that we will take action against those who perpetrate such serious abuses. We will help Iranian citizens hold their government accountable to preserve and protect their human rights, as declared in their own law and international conventions to which the Iranian government is a party.”