Australia imposes sanctions on Iran over repression, destabilisation campaign

Australia has imposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on seven Iranian citizens and four organisations, citing what it described as the regime’s “ongoing brutal oppression of its people and destabilisation of the region.”

On Tuesday, May 12, the Australian government announced the measures, stating that those sanctioned include officials and entities involved in violence against women and children, mass arrests, torture, forced confessions, internet restrictions, and the unlawful detention of foreign nationals.

“In January, the Iranian regime massacred thousands of its own citizens and carried out mass arrests of peaceful protesters, torturing detainees, subjecting them to forced confessions and preventing them from communicating with loved ones,” the government said in its statement.

The sanctions also target Iran’s “shadow banking system”, which, according to Canberra, enables the country to fund terrorist proxy groups such as Hamas, support its ballistic missile programme, and carry out other destabilising activities.

“This announcement, made alongside the United Kingdom’s further sanctions on Iran, continues our work with international partners to hold the Iranian regime to account for its egregious campaign of oppression and destabilisation,” the statement added.

The government led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it has taken stronger action against Iran than any previous Australian administration, imposing more than 230 new sanctions on individuals and entities in the country.

This includes over 100 individuals and organisations linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which Australia has designated as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Australia also reiterated its support for the Iranian people, stating it “continues to stand with the brave people of Iran against a brutal, oppressive regime.”

By Jeyhun Aghazada