LONDON: Britain on Thursday announced further sanctions against Iranian security officials and organizations for what it said were violations of human rights in Iran including over the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
The new sanctions cover 13 individuals and organizations, targeting officials in charge of Iranian prisons and state entities related to cybersecurity, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Cyber Defense Command.
Britain, along with the European Union and the United States, has announced multiple rounds of sanctions against Iran, citing the widespread and often violent crackdown on protests after the death of young Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in morality police custody last September.
The new British sanctions include travel bans as well as asset freezes, which prevent UK entities from doing business with those sanctioned and block their assets in Britain.
Britain targets Iranian security officials in new human rights sanctions
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Britain targets Iranian security officials in new human rights sanctions
- New sanctions cover 13 individuals and organizations, targeting officials in charge of Iranian prisons and state entities related to cybersecurity
- Britain has announced multiple rounds of sanctions against Iran, citing the widespread and often violent crackdown on protests after the death of Mahsa Amini
Morocco pushes to reform social security system amid inflation and economic pressure, PM says
- Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Aziz Akhannouch said his government had expanded healthcare to more than 80 percent of its population
DUBAI: Morocco’s prime minister said on Tuesday that the country was pursuing radical social and economic reforms in the wake of inflationary and economic pressures.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Aziz Akhannouch said his government had expanded healthcare to more than 80 percent of its population, up from just 42 percent when he took office three years ago.
He said this also coincided with consistently strong economic growth and headline inflation reducing to below 1 percent.
“In a world that doubts itself, Morocco has decided to protect its population, reform and look forward,” he told attendees in Davos.
In late 2025, Morocco was rocked by its largest demonstrations in over a decade as youth‑led groups mobilized nationwide against deteriorating public services, deepening social inequality, and chronic unemployment.
Akhannouch said the country was aware of the difficulties facing Moroccans and was determined to ensure the country would remain on a positive trajectory.
Part of this included the provision of financial aid to more than 12 million citizens, and the formation of trusts for orphans to be paid out when they turn 18.
“Health means dignity, if you want to have a decent life you have to have good health,” he said.
Nevertheless, Akhannouch noted that the government had not forgone its budgetary principles — and had in fact balanced the country’s debt payments and achieved successful fiscal reforms. He noted S&P’s decision in 2025 to raise Morocco’s sovereign rating to BBB‑/A‑3 and restore its investment‑grade status.
Speaking on the World Cup, set to be co-hosted with neighbors Spain and Portugal in 2030, he said the project was seen as a nation-building exercise that would help spur Morocco to develop its underlying infrastructure and provide employment opportunities for young Moroccans.
“It will be a growth accelerator,” he said.
“When we build new rail networks and upgrade cities it will have a long-term impact on people.”
