[57187] Australia imposed a new round of sanctions on Iranian officials and entities due to human rights violations

The Australian government announced on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the imposition of a new round of sanctions against seven officials and four entities linked to the Islamic Republic regime. According to reports from Iran International, the move comes in response to the violent suppression of Iranian citizens, internet blockages, and actions that undermine regional stability, including financial assistance to proxy groups.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong noted that the sanctions include travel bans and targeted economic sanctions. According to the German channel DW Persian, the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized in its statement that the Iranian regime is behind the "violent suppression" and "widespread arrests" of peaceful protesters, and that the new restrictions are also aimed at Iran's "shadow banking system," which is used to fund the country's ballistic missile program.

The list of individuals and entities targeted includes key figures in the security and enforcement apparatus, including Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and senior commanders in the Iranian police (FARAJA) and the Revolutionary Guards. According to Al Arabiya Farsi, sanctions were also imposed on ostensibly civilian bodies, such as the "Seraj Organization for Cyberspace" and two currency exchange firms (Sarrafi) suspected of money laundering.

While media outlets affiliated with the Iranian opposition and the West emphasized the context of human rights violations, state media channels in Iran and sources identified with the Revolutionary Guards defined the Australian move as "hostile" and stemming from a "hostile approach" toward Iran, without addressing the specific allegations of human rights violations.