US, UK impose sanctions against 11 people linked to Iranian intelligence

The US and UK authorities have imposed sanctions on 11 people accused of involvement in the persecution of dissidents in the interests of Iranian intelligence, reads a statement by US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, Report informs.

“The United States and United Kingdom are taking joint action today to impose sanctions on 11 individuals for their connection to a criminal network that has targeted foreign dissidents and Iranian regime opponents for assassination at the behest of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS). The individuals designated today are believed to be involved in a network that has carried out acts of transnational repression, including numerous assassinations and kidnappings, and has also plotted operations in the United States,” reads the document.

“The Department of the Treasury is taking this action in conjunction with the unsealing of an indictment by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”

A statement published by the US Department of the Treasury clarifies that the network is led by Iranian narcotics trafficker Naji Ibrahim Sharifi-Zindashti (Zindashti) and operates at the behest of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS).

“Iran-based narco-trafficker Zindashti and his network are intertwined with Iran’s transnational repression efforts to silence and intimidate dissidents, former insiders, and other perceived opponents by carrying out assassinations and kidnappings under the direction of the MOIS across multiple continents. Iranian security forces protect Zindashti and his criminal empire, enabling Zindashti to thrive in the country’s drug market and live a life of luxury while his network exports the regime’s repression, carrying out heinous operations on the government’s behalf. Zindashti’s network has been linked to murders in several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Canada, and Türkiye,” reads the statement.