On Thursday, the United States held security forces responsible for "abuse and violence against Iranian women and the violation of the rights of peaceful demonstrators" in the context of the protests over the death of Masha Amini. The Treasury Department sanctioned the Iranian Islamist regime's morality police for the murder of the young woman.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also announced sanctions against the senior leadership of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security, the Army Ground Forces, the Basik Resistance Forces and the Law Enforcement Forces. These penalties correspond to the blocking of the properties and interests held by these entities in the United States.
Regarding the assassination, Yellen noted.
Mahsa Amini was a brave woman whose death in police custody was yet another act of brutality by the Iranian regime's security forces against its own people.
In addition, the Treasury Secretary concluded her statement with a condemnation of the Islamist government's repression and violence:
We condemn this unconscionable act in the strongest terms and call on the Iranian government to end its violence against women and its ongoing violent crackdown on freedom of expression and assembly.
Morality police arrested Mahsa Amini last week for improperly wearing her hijab (head and chest covering for women). Once arrested, she was beaten into a coma and later was taken to a hospital where she died three days later. After her burial, thousands of people began to protest and the Islamist regime reacted with violence against the demonstrators.
At least 31 dead
After a week of protests and fierce riots in Iran, violence by the morality police continues unabated. At least 31 people have been killed and more than five hundred injured as a result of the Islamist regime's crackdown, reports Iran Humans Rights.
Protests are increasing daily. Iranian women have been witnessed cutting their hair and burning their hijabs in the streets. In addition, the demonstrators proclaimed "death to the dictator" (in reference to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei) and have torn up posters of him.
