By Vera Anyagafu
The US government has imposed visa restrictions on 18 Iranian regime officials and telecom industry leaders, as well as their families, for suppressing Iranians’ freedom of expression during nationwide protests, even as the Iranian government accuses the US and Israel of fomenting unrest.
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, imposed the visa bans, citing serious violations of human rights, particularly inhibiting Iranians’ right to free expression and peaceful assembly during the protest in December 2025 and January 2026, respectively.
He stated that the protests, sparked by soaring inflation and economic mismanagement, quickly turned political, with demonstrators demanding an end to clerical rule.
This follows widespread violence and repression against peaceful demonstrators, including a near-total internet shutdown that restricted documentation of abuses.
It was also noted that security forces used live ammunition, tear gas, and pellet guns, resulting in dozens of deaths, including children, and thousands of arrests, as the US reaffirms its support for the protesters’ demand for peace and dignity.
Following the incident, the Iranian government responded with violence and repression, imposing a near-total internet shutdown, restricting independent documentation of abuses, and cutting Iranians off from the world, and accusing the US and Israel of fomenting unrest.
However, while the US and other countries condemned the crackdown, calling for respect for human rights and freedom of expression, the EU, Australia, and Canada also denounced the violence against protesters.
