US Announces New Sanctions On Iranian Firms, Officials

The US Treasury Department has announced a series of new economic sanctions on state-controlled firms and senior officials in the Iranian gov't.

• The prime focus of the sanctions is the Islamic Revolution Mostazafan Foundation, also known as Bonyad Mostazafan, an "economic conglomerate controlled by the supreme leader", which the Treasury dep't describes as, "a key patronage network" for the supreme leader.
• Parviz Fattah, chairman of Bonyad Mostazafan and a former Iranian Revolutionary Guard officer, and Mahmoud Alavi, leader of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security, have also been designated by the US gov't.
• Treasury Sec Steve Mnuchin: ""Iran's Supreme Leader uses Bonyad Mostazafan to reward his allies under the pretense of charity. The United States will continue to target key officials and revenue generating sources that enable the regime's ongoing repression of its own people."