The United States Treasury Department announced on Wednesday the addition of regime Foreign Minister Javad Zarif to the Office of Foreign Assets Control’s Specially Designated Nationals List. The designation and its accompanying sanctions will prohibit Zarif from entering the U.S. or using the U.S. financial system.

Statement from the Treasury Department

According to the Treasury Department statement, the designation was made “because Zarif acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

U.S. Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin cited specific actions taken by Zarif that warranted the designation in the statement:

“Javad Zarif implements the reckless agenda of Iran’s Supreme Leader and is the regime’s primary spokesperson around the world.  The United States is sending a clear message to the Iranian regime that its recent behavior is completely unacceptable,” said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. “At the same time the Iranian regime denies Iranian citizens’ access to social media, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif spreads the regime’s propaganda and disinformation around the world through these mediums.”

The statement also notes Zarif’s role in attempting to interfere with U.S. elections:

“Zarif’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its high ranking officials have engaged in and funded efforts to influence elections, some of which have involved the IRGC-QF.  Additionally, senior officials of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sought to facilitate the release of two IRGC-QF operatives from a foreign country by making payments to foreign judiciary officials.”

The MEK and the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) have repeatedly called for sanctions against regime President Hassan Rouhani, Javad Zarif, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the IRGC, and the MOIS because of their terrorist activities in the Middle East and abroad.

Maryam Rajavi’s Earlier Statements

Mrs. Maryam Rajavi stressed the need for sanctions against Zarif in several speeches this summer, which she then tweeted for further emphasis.

Int’l gathering at Ashraf 3 – June 29, 2019:

Blacklisting the corrupt & vicious core of the regime, the Office of Ali Khamenei, which took place after a 3-decade delay, has been welcomed by the Iranian public. The blacklisting must be extended to Hassan Rouhani [and Javad Zarif].

Message to Iranians’ rally in London– July 27, 2019:

We urge Britain, Europe & all states to stop accommodating the mullahs. Do not help them scale down the sanctions. Stand up to them. Place the IRGC, the MOIS, Khamenei’s office,Hassan Rouhani [& Javad Zarif] on the terror list.

Reaction from the Iranian Resistance

The MEK and the Iranian Resistance sees the sanctions against Zarif as a positive step toward holding the regime accountable for its actions.

Mohammed Mohaddessin, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the NCRI, tweeted in response to the designation:

Zarif & his ministry’s role is to justify suppression, the export of terrorism & warmongering. He boasts being a friend to Ghassem Soleimani, Bashar Assad & Hassan Nasrollah. His ministry along with Khamenei’s office, Rouhani  &MOIS must be included in the terrorist list. #Iran

Shahin Gobadi, Spokesman for the MEK, also responded favorably to the news:

Placing Zarif in the sanctions list is a positive step. His mission has been to justify the regime’s atrocities against the people of #Iran including the 1988 massacre and the mullahs’ export of terrorism and belligerence. Time to impose sanctions on Rouhani #FreeIran

Staff writer