Iran updates blacklist of Americans involved in terrorism, rights violations

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has updated its blacklist of senior American officials for their involvement in terrorist activities and gross human rights violations against the Islamic Republic.

The ministry made the announcement in a statement on Saturday, saying the persons had been designated for their role in imposing and intensifying the imposition of the US’ unilateral coercive measures against the Iranian government and the people.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in conformity with the “Act on Countering Violations of Human Rights and Adventurist and Terrorist Actions of the United States of America in the Region”, particularly, Articles 4 and 5, identifies and imposes sanctions as set forth in the above-mentioned Act on the following persons in connection with their involvement in terrorist acts, glorification and supporting terrorism and gross violations of human rights,” the statement read.

“The designated persons, as indicated, have played role in supporting, organizing, imposing, and also intensifying the imposition of the United States’ Unilateral Coercive Measures against the people and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also in financing and supporting terrorist groups and terrorist acts against the latter and in supporting repressive acts of the Zionist regime of Israel in the region, in particular, against the Palestinian people,” it added.

The ministry slammed the US government for its coercive measures and deliberate infliction of harm against the people of Iran through “deprivation of access to medicine and medical equipment and services”, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ordeals resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and deprivation of the fundamental rights, it said, had “endangered the lives of millions of Iranians”, impacting their economic and social rights.

The ministry denounced such measures as a “flagrant violation of the fundamental principles of international law and fundamental human rights”, calling them “crime against humanity.”

“In addition, supporting, organizing and conducting terrorist acts as well as organizing, financing and providing material support including weapon, intelligence, and training to terrorist groups are in violation of international law and contravene international obligations undertaken in fighting terrorism,” the statement noted.

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The ministry said the US, through unlawful acts carried out, facilitated, or operationalized by the following persons, had breached its international obligations.

“In view of the above, the Islamic Republic of Iran in conformity with its human rights obligations and obligations in combating terrorism and countering terrorism financing, in particular, terrorism perpetrated by the United States, imposes the sanctions on the said persons. The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates that the promulgations and application of Unilateral Coercive Measures is a stark violation of the fundamental principles of international law set forth in the Charter of the United Nations and a blatant transgression of international law and impede enjoyment of human rights,” the statement underlined.

“Accordingly, and taking into account the internationally wrongful acts of the United States, the sanctions delineated in the Act are imposed in compliance with the obligations of the Islamic Republic of Iran in countering Unilateral Coercive Measures and on a reciprocal basis,” it added

The ministry said the relevant authorities will take appropriate measures for effective implementation of the sanctions stipulated in the ‘Act on Countering Violations of Human Rights and Adventurist and Terrorist Actions of the United States of America in the Region’.

Tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated since the unilateral withdrawal of the US from the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018, followed by the reinstatement of crippling sanctions.

However, it took a dramatic turn on January 3, 2020, after the assassination of the top Iranian anti-terror commander, Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, a move authorized by then-president Donald Trump.

The cowardly act of terror near the Baghdad International Airport killed the popular commander and his companions, including Muhandis, the deputy commander of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU).

In retaliation, Iran launched a volley of ballistic missiles at the Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq’s western province of Anbar on January 8, 2020, which resulted in 110 US troops being diagnosed with “traumatic brain injuries.”

Despite the Joe Biden administration’s pledge to reverse the previous administration’s hostile measures against Iran, the maximum pressure campaign continues to take different forms and shapes.

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