West imposes sanctions on Iran on Mahsa Amini's death anniversary, Tehran calls it "illegal"

Tehran: Iran has strongly criticised Western countries, including the United States, for their "illegal" decision to impose new sanctions on the country.

This move comes on the eve of the first anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.

Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, passed away on September 16, 2022, following her arrest in Tehran for an alleged violation of Iran's strict dress code for women.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanani, issued a statement late Friday condemning the Western countries' actions as "illegal and undiplomatic." He also denounced what he termed "interventionist actions and statements" and criticised the "ridiculous and hypocritical" displays of support for the protest movement.

Kanani cautioned European diplomats against engaging in such "unconstructive behaviour," which, in his view, "does not serve their interests."

The sanctions announced by the United States on Friday targeted 25 Iranian officials, three media outlets, and an internet censorship firm, all of which were linked to Tehran's suppression of protests following Amini's death. Most of those sanctioned were regional commanders of the national police force and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Gholamali Mohammadi, the head of Iran's Prisons Organisation, was also sanctioned by the US Treasury for his alleged involvement in serious human rights abuses, including torture and rape. Three media outlets - state-controlled Press TV, Tasnim, and Fars news agencies - were placed on the sanctions list, reported AFP.

Britain imposed sanctions on Iran's Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili, his deputy Mohammad Hashemi, Tehran mayor Alireza Zakani, and Iranian police spokesman Saeed Montazer Almehdi.

The European Union added four Iranian officials to its own sanctions list, including a Revolutionary Guards commander, two regional police chiefs, and the head of a prison. These sanctions were also coordinated with Canada and Australia.

The protests that followed Mahsa Amini's death last year resulted in hundreds of deaths, including dozens of security forces, and the arrest of thousands. Tehran characterised these events as "riots" incited by foreign governments.