The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, escalating political and diplomatic pressure on Tehran amid growing regional tensions in the Middle East. Washington alleges that Momeni played a central role in overseeing recent large-scale security operations inside Iran, during which law enforcement agencies used excessive force to suppress peaceful protests. According to US claims, these crackdowns resulted in significant civilian casualties and widespread human rights violations. Under the sanctions, any assets linked to Momeni within US jurisdiction are frozen, and American individuals and institutions are prohibited from engaging in financial or commercial dealings with him. The sanctions package also includes several Iranian security officials and a prominent businessman accused of facilitating money laundering and illicit financial networks that allegedly support state repression. The US Treasury has stated that these networks have exploited digital assets and alternative financial platforms to bypass existing sanctions, enabling the transfer of funds connected to violence, cybercrime, and regional destabilization. US officials argue that such practices pose risks not only to Iranian citizens but also to the integrity of the global financial system. While reinforcing its military presence in the region as a deterrent, Washington has emphasized that the measures are aimed at accountability rather than conflict, leaving room for diplomatic engagement if Iran changes course. The US administration maintains that individuals responsible for serious human rights abuses must face consequences, regardless of their position within the Iranian government. Tehran, however, has condemned the sanctions as unlawful interference in its internal affairs and has hinted at possible countermeasures. Analysts suggest that the latest sanctions could further strain already fragile US-Iran relations, intensify regional uncertainty, and influence broader geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East in the coming months.