Australia Enforces New Sanctions on Iranian Officials Amid Accusations of Severe Oppression

Australia has introduced specific financial sanctions and travel restrictions on top Iranian figures accused of oppressing women and girls amidst the country’s societal crackdown.

In an announcement made by Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday, sanctions were imposed on seven Iranian individuals and four organizations in response to Iran’s “relentless” suppression of its citizens, as well as the wrongful imprisonment of foreign nationals.

According to independent sources, more than 30,000 people have reportedly been killed by Iranian forces since nationwide protests broke out in January. The Iranian government, however, claims the death toll is much lower.

Among those sanctioned is Eskandar Momeni, the interior minister and deputy commander in chief of law enforcement forces, who has been implicated in the deaths of protesters.

Another official facing sanctions is Ruhollah Nasab, noted for deploying 80,000 personnel to enforce mandatory hijab laws and monitor women’s attire in educational institutions, public spaces, and online platforms.

The measures also extend to Iran’s shadow banking network, which facilitates funding for groups like Hamas—designated as a terrorist organization by Australia—and supports Iran’s ballistic missile initiatives.

The Albanese government has so far imposed more than 230 sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities.

The announcement on Tuesday was made alongside the United Kingdom’s sanctions on Iran.

Wong said Australia will continue its work with international partners to hold the regime to account for its “egregious campaign of oppression and destabilisation”.

“Australia continues to stand with the brave people of Iran against a brutal, oppressive regime,” she said.

Although the sanctions target Iran’s destabilising actions throughout the Middle East, they are not in direct response to the retaliatory strikes in the US-led war.

The strikes launched by the US and Israel have resulted in the effective closure of one of the world’s most important oil corridors, the Strait of Hormuz, sending the price of fuel soaring globally.

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