By Admin 
Amid ongoing nationwide protests in Iran, America has again announced tough sanctions against Tehran on Thursday (January 15, 2026). According to the US Treasury Department, America has imposed fresh sanctions on Iranian shipping, trading and energy companies besides Iranian officials accused of suppressing the protests.
US bans 18 people close to Khamenei
The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on 18 Iranian officials. They were held responsible for the crackdown and violence against the protesters and accused of misusing billions of dollars of oil revenue. It is alleged that these people are involved in secretly sending oil and petrochemical earnings out and money laundering. US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said that these sanctions have been imposed on the instructions of President Donald Trump. He said that he stands firmly with the Iranian people demanding freedom and justice.
What did the US Finance Department say?
The US Treasury Department said in a statement that it had imposed sanctions on the secretary of the Supreme Council of National Security as well as commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and law enforcement forces. The US has also imposed sanctions on Fardis Prison, regarding which the State Department has said that the women there had to endure cruel, inhuman and humiliating treatment.
‘Stop the violence and stand with Iran’
US Finance Minister Scott Besant said, ‘Iranian leaders are stealing money from Iranians like rats on a sinking ship and sending it to banks and financial institutions around the world. The US Finance Ministry is aware of this entire matter. Rest assured we will keep an eye on you and them. You (Iranian leader) still have time. President Trump has always said to stop the violence and stand with Iran.
America freezes the assets of banned people
The name of Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security, is also included in the sanctions list. It is alleged that he had ordered repressive action against the protesters. Under these sanctions, the assets of the concerned people and institutions present in America have been frozen. Also, American citizens have been barred from doing any kind of business with them.