US places sanctions on Iran’s morality police for abuse of women

A picture obtained by AFP outside Iran on Wednesday shows Iranian demonstrators taking to the streets of the capital Tehran during a protest for Mahsa Amini, days after she died in police custody. (AFP)
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Updated 22 September 2022
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US places sanctions on Iran’s morality police for abuse of women

  • The US Treasury accused the morality police of violating the rights of peaceful protesters
  • Protesters in Tehran and other Iranian cities torched police stations and vehicles earlier on Thursday

WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday put sanctions on Iran’s morality police, accusing it of abuse and violence against Iranian women and holding it responsible for the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in custody last week.
The US Treasury accused the morality police of violating the rights of peaceful protesters and said it had put sanctions on seven senior Iranian military and security officials, including the chief of the Iranian army’s ground forces.
“Mahsa Amini was a courageous woman whose death in Morality Police custody was yet another act of brutality by the Iranian regime’s security forces against its own people,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.
“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 free expression and assembly,” she added.
Protesters in Tehran and other Iranian cities torched police stations and vehicles earlier on Thursday as public outrage over Amini’s death showed no signs of easing, with reports of security forces coming under attack.
The seven officials placed under sanctions included the head of Iran’s morality police, Mohammad Rostami Cheshmeh Gachi; the commander of the Iranian army’s ground forces, Kiyumars Heidari; and Esmail Khatib, Iran’s minister of intelligence, the Treasury said.
As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of those designated that fall under US jurisdiction is blocked and must be reported to the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the Treasury said.


Military coalition in Yemen condemns attack on commander’s convoy

Coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Maliki called the ambush “a criminal act that is contrary to all moral values.
Updated 22 January 2026
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Military coalition in Yemen condemns attack on commander’s convoy

  • Al-Maliki also said the coalition is committed to supporting Yemeni security efforts and pursuing those involved in the attack and bringing them to justice

RIYADH: The Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen condemned on Wednesday an attack that targeted the convoy of a senior commander.
The attack in the Jaoula area of ​​Lahj governorate targeted vehicles under the command of Brigadier General Hamdi Shukri, who heads the second division of the Giants Forces.
Coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Maliki said there were numerous deaths injuries and called the ambush “a criminal act that is contrary to all human and moral values.”
He said the coalition, which includes Saudi Arabia, will continue coordinating with the relevant authorities to ensure the security of citizens and maintain stability, Saudi Press Agency reported.
He called for people to work with the Yemeni government and military authorities to confront any sabotage attempts or terrorist operations targeting the security and stability of liberated governorates.
Al-Maliki also said the coalition is committed to supporting Yemeni security efforts and pursuing those involved in the attack and bringing them to justice.