By Thornical Press –
January 15, 2026
The United States government announced a sweeping new round of sanctions against the Iranian regime on Wednesday, citing a worsening humanitarian crisis and the systematic repression of citizens seeking basic civil liberties. The move comes as a direct response to what State Department officials describe as a campaign of violence and “cruel repression” orchestrated by Tehran against its own population during ongoing nationwide protests.
Central to the new measures is the formal designation of the notorious Fardis Prison. Long identified by human rights observers as a site of systemic abuse, the institution has become a symbol of the regime’s crackdown, specifically regarding the “cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment” of female detainees. By blacklisting the facility, Washington aims to further isolate the logistical and financial networks that sustain the prison’s operations.
The diplomatic pressure is being matched by targeted financial strikes from the Department of the Treasury. Among the high-ranking officials sanctioned is Ali Larijani, the Secretary of the Supreme Council for National Security (SCNS), a figure central to Iran’s strategic and internal security policies. The Treasury also moved against 18 individuals and entities identified as the backbone of Iran’s “shadow banking” networks. These clandestine financial channels are allegedly used to launder the proceeds from international petroleum and petrochemical sales, which the U.S. asserts are used to fund the regime’s regional interests rather than domestic welfare.
This escalation marks a significant step in the implementation of National Security Presidential Memorandum-2 of 2025, signaling a more aggressive posture toward Tehran’s economic lifelines. U.S. officials emphasized that the Iranian government continues to prioritize “destabilizing and malign activities” abroad over the urgent needs of its people at home. In a statement accompanying the announcement, the administration reaffirmed its commitment to the Iranian protesters, pledging to deny the regime access to the global banking system so long as the domestic crackdown continues.
Thornical Press 