New Zealand imposes new travel bans on Iranian officials

New Zealand has announced a new round of sanctions against Iran, imposing travel bans on members of the Iranian leadership accused of involvement in the violent suppression of protests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said.

“It has been horrifying to witness the brutal killing of thousands of protestors in Iran,” Peters stated, adding that Iranians are entitled to peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and access to information — rights he said have been “ruthlessly violated.”

The measures target 40 individuals accused of committing human rights abuses, including Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, and Prosecutor-General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad, as well as members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

New Zealand said the travel bans would also apply to three Iranian nationals linked to what it described as Iran’s malign activities abroad. Those sanctioned will be prohibited from entering or transiting through New Zealand.

“Iran’s destabilising activities are totally outside the norms of acceptable state behaviour,” Peters said, stressing that the latest measures send a clear signal that individuals showing “callous disregard for human life” are not welcome in the country. He added that New Zealand would continue coordinating its actions with international partners when responding to conduct that undermines international law and regional stability.

With the decision, New Zealand joins Australia, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada and the United States in taking similar steps.

The government previously introduced three rounds of travel bans targeting 55 individuals over human rights violations in Iran. In addition, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on 29 Iranian individuals and 19 entities accused of supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine.

By Tamilla Hasanova