US Imposes Sanctions against Iranian Operatives Involved in Overseas Assassination Plots

The United States has imposed sanctions on members and affiliates of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its external operations arm who Washington accused of participating in “terrorist plots” targeting former US government officials, dual US and Iranian nationals and Iranian dissidents abroad.

The US Treasury Department said on June 1 that the move targeted three Iran- and Turkey-based individuals and a company affiliated with the IRGC-Quds Force and two senior officials of the IRGC's Intelligence Organization “involved in plotting external lethal operations against civilians including journalists and activists.”

“The United States remains focused on disrupting plots by the IRGC and its Qods Force, both of which have engaged in numerous assassination attempts and other acts of violence and intimidation against those they deem enemies of the Iranian regime,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson.

“We will continue to expose and disrupt these terrorist activities and efforts to silence opposing voices, particularly those who advocate for respect for the universal human rights and freedoms of the Iranian people.”

Under the sanctions, all property of the five individuals and the company subject to US jurisdiction are blocked. Carrying out transactions with them can expose actors to "secondary sanctions" under which the United States can penalize non-U.S. individuals and entities.