The United States on Friday said it was imposing visa restrictions on 13 Iranian individuals for their involvement in “gross violations of human rights” regarding a 1990 assassination of an Iranian opposition figure in Switzerland.
“These 13 assassins, who posed as Iranian diplomats, were acting under the highest orders of their government to silence opposition and show that no one is safe from the Iranian regime, no matter where they live,” the State Department said in a statement.
“The United States will not stand for the Iranian regime silencing its critics through violence and terror.”
It did not disclose the names of the individuals.
The State Department said it was also designating Hojatollah Khodaei Souri, who it said as director of Iran’s Evin Prison ran an institution “synonymous with torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.”
“Evin Prison has been used to oppress peaceful Iranian protestors and journalists, as well as foreigners who are swept up and imprisoned to be held hostage to squeeze concessions out of their home governments,” it continued.
“These actions send a message of support to Iran’s many victims worldwide that we will promote accountability for those who spread terror and violence,” it added.
“The United States will continue to pressure Iran to treat its own people with dignity and respect,” it vowed.
“Iran conducts assassinations and terrorism abroad to spread its reign of terror well beyond its own borders.”
“The United States looks forward to the day when the perpetrators of Iran’s innumerable human rights violations will face true justice and hopes that these measures offer some comfort and reassurance to the families and friends of those lost to the Iranian regime’s violence and oppression at home and abroad,” the State Department said.
