Iran has faced sustained international scrutiny over its human rights record, including the treatment of people participating in peaceful demonstrations.
The UK has announced sanctions against ten individuals and one organisation linked to brutality against Iranian protestors, set out by the Foreign Secretary.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has announced a new package of sanctions against ten individuals and one organisation linked to serious human rights violations in Iran.
The measures were announced on 2 February 2026 by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and include restrictions on senior officials, security figures and associated networks. The UK says the action is intended to hold Iranian authorities accountable for violence and brutality against peaceful protestors, alongside steps taken by international partners.
Announcement of UK Sanctions
The UK government said it is imposing sanctions to respond to serious human rights violations in Iran, including reported violence against people taking part in peaceful protests. The measures were announced by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and attributed to the Foreign Secretary.
The UK said the sanctions form part of wider work to hold Iranian authorities to account and reflect commitments previously set out by ministers earlier this month.
- What was announced
- Who announced it
- Why the action is being taken
Scope of Designations
The UK said ten individuals and one organisation have been designated for their role in enabling and facilitating brutality and violence against the Iranian people. The measures take effect immediately.
The UK said the designations include a range of figures, including ministers, police chiefs, judges and members associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard.
- Ten individuals designated
- One organisation designated
- Restrictions apply immediately
Sanctions measures applied
| Asset freeze | Applies to designated individuals and the organisation. |
| Travel ban | Applies to designated individuals. |
| Director disqualification | Applies to designated individuals and the organisation. |
Who is covered
| Organisation | Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FARAJA), sanctioned for its prominent role in policing protests. |
| Individuals | Ten named individuals, including senior officials, police chiefs, judges, and IRGC-linked figures. |
International and Policy Context
The UK said the announcement follows commitments set out by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary earlier this month to bring forward sanctions in response to Iran’s violent response to recent peaceful protests. The Foreign Secretary also called on the international community to hold Iranian authorities to account.
The UK said the package follows human rights sanctions imposed by the EU and the US over recent days and aligns with positions set out by the G7 Foreign Ministers and the EU High Representative condemning violence against protestors.
List of Sanctioned Parties
The UK said the organisation and individuals were designated for their role in enabling and facilitating brutality and violence against the Iranian people, including during recent peaceful protests and previous events. The list includes senior figures with responsibilities across internal security, policing, judicial action and IRGC-linked activity.
The UK said those designated are subject to the relevant restrictions immediately.
Designations announced on 2 February 2026
| Organisation | Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FARAJA) |
| Eskandar Momeni | Iranian Minister of the Interior, responsible for Iran’s police force. |
| Mohammad Reza Hashemifar | Police Chief in Lorestan Province. |
| Seyed Majid Feiz Jafari | Police chief of Iran’s Public Security Police. |
| Yadollah Bouali | IRGC commander of Fars Province, linked to lethal violence used by the Fajr Corp. |
| Babak Zanjani | Businessman running a network of companies linked to generating funds enabling IRGC criminal activity. |
| Colonel Ahmed Amini | Police Chief linked to human rights abuses in Noor province in 2024. |
| Mohammad Ghanbari | Commander of Iran’s Criminal Investigation Police, linked to abuses including detention and torture of protestors in 2022 and 2023. |
| Ahmad Darvish Goftar | Judge in the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, linked to sentencing a labour rights activist to death in 2024. |
| Mehdi Rasakhi | Judge in the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, linked to excessive sentences on women’s rights and labour activists. |
| Mohammad Zamani | IRGC officer linked to human rights violations in Iran. |
Legal Framework and Enforcement
The UK said today’s designation was made under the Iran Sanctions Regulations (2023). The measures include asset freezes, travel bans and director disqualification, where applicable.
The UK said it has already imposed more than 550 sanctions on Iranian individuals and organisations linked to such behaviour, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in its entirety and sanctions in place for human rights violations.
Stakeholder Comments
Ministerial Comments
The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary said;
“The Iranian people have shown extreme courage in the face of brutality and repression over recent weeks simply for exercising their right to peaceful protest. The reports and shocking scenes of violence that have been seen around the world are horrific.”
“We committed to bringing forward sanctions and warned the Iranian regime of further measures. We were clear that we would hold the Iranian authorities to account – and today’s package does just that.”
In Conclusion
The UK said the sanctions package is intended to hold Iranian authorities to account for reported violence and brutality against protestors. The measures target ten individuals and one organisation and apply immediately through restrictions including asset freezes, travel bans and director disqualification.
The government said it will continue to take action alongside partners and maintain pressure through international engagement and sanctions regimes.
Sources: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
