Iran Human Rights Abusers Who Should Be Sanctioned Now

Updated: December 16, 2022

In reaction to Mahsa Amini’s death in Iranian police custody and the regime’s violent attempts to suppress nationwide protests, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada have sanctioned certain Iranian officials and institutions responsible for human rights abuses. All Iran human rights sanctions designations can be viewed in United Against Nuclear Iran’s Iran Human Rights Sanctions Tracker.

Unfortunately, many more Iranian human rights violators have yet to be sanctioned by anyone. Consequently, United Against Nuclear Iran has compiled, and will continuously update, the following list of recommended targets for new human rights sanctions designations.

The sanctioned individuals noted on this page were designated after UANI’s recommendation.

Name Person/Entity Background AKA Sanctioned Sort descending
Iran’s Legal Medicine Organization Entity

Released a report in October 2022 absolving the authorities of responsibility for Mahsa Amini's death, claiming "[Amini's] death was not caused by blows to the head or any other vital organs and parts of the body," but was due to an "underlying disease". Read More

Forensic Medicine Organization
Islamic Propaganda Coordination Council Entity

"The Islamic Propaganda Coordination Council called for countrywide, pro-regime protests on October 28 to condemn the US and Israel for their alleged roles in stoking the protests. Read More

Coordination Council for Islamic Propagation; Islamic Propagation Coordination Council
Jannati, Ahmad Person

Chairman of Iran's Assembly of Experts and Secretary of the Guardian Council, both of which are sanctioned by Canada for human rights abuses. Read More

Judiciary Entity

Article 156 of Iran’s constitution defines the judiciary as an “independent power,” which investigates and passes judgment on grievances, violations of rights, complaints, resolves litigation, settles disputes, and takes all necessary decisions and measures in probate matters. Read More

Kahmenoui, Mohammad Mossadegh Person

First deputy chief justice (2021–present). Read More

Khamenei, Ali Person

Supreme leader (1989–present). Read More

Khamenei, Mojtaba Person

Reportedly de facto commanded the IRGC's Basij paramilitary force during part of its crackdown on protests following the disputed 2009 presidential elections. Read More

Ghalibaf, Mohammad Bagher Person

Speaker of parliament. Read More

Qalibaf, Mohammad Baqer
Ministry of the Interior Entity

Responsible for internal security policy, including the conduct of the Law Enforcement Forces (LEF), which are sanctioned by the United States and EU for human rights abuses. Read More

Gheyb Parvar, Gholam Hossein Person

IRGC brigadier general and former commander of the Basij. Read More

Gheib Parvar, Gholam Hossein; Gheib Parvar, Gholamhossein; Gheibparvar, Gholam Hossein; Gheibparvar, Gholamhossein; Gheybparvar; Gholam Hossein; Gheybparvar, Gholamhossein
Modarresi Yazdi, Mohammad-Reza Person

Member of the Guardian Council, which is sanctioned by the Canadian government for human rights abuses. Read More

Mohammadi, Gholamali Person

Head of the Iran Prisons' Organization. Read More

Morovati, Hassan Person

"Senior Iranian officials have discussed implementing a countrywide internet shutdown for several hours on January 19-20 to prevent cheating on a scheduled university entrance exam. Read More

Mousavi, Abdol-Mehdi Person

Judiciary head for the province of Markazi. Read More

Moghaddam, Ahmad Mortazavi Person

Head of Iran's Supreme Court, 2019–present. Read More

Muzavi, Kazem Person

Member of parliament for the northwestern Iranian city of Ardabil. Read More

National Domestic Security Council (NDSC) Entity

Executes crackdowns on protests. Read More

Parvin, Kheyrollah Person

Member of the Guardian Council, which is sanctioned by the Canadian government for human rights abuses. Read More

Raeiszadeh, Mohammad Person

Head of Iran's Medical Council (2021–present). Read More

Raeeszadeh, Mohammad
Rahpeyk, Siamak Person

Vice-secretary of the Guardian Council, which is sanctioned by the Canadian government for human rights abuses. Read More