US imposes visa bans on 18 Iranian officials over protest crackdown

2026-02-18 - 22:22

The United States announced Wednesday additional visa restrictions targeting 18 Iranian officials and telecommunications industry leaders accused of involvement in suppressing nationwide protests and restricting internet access in Iran. Principal deputy spokesman Tommy Pigott said Secretary of State Marco Rubio imposed the bans on the designated individuals and their immediate family members under a provision of US immigration law allowing denial of entry to those deemed contrary to American foreign policy interests. Expanding Accountability Measures "This visa restriction policy will target individuals who are complicit, or believed to be complicit, in serious violations of human rights, particularly inhibiting the right of Iranians to free expression and peaceful assembly," Pigott stated, noting that 58 individuals have now been targeted under the policy. The designees include both government officials responsible for security force actions and telecommunications industry executives whose companies facilitated internet shutdowns and communications blackouts during protest periods. Support for Iranian Protesters The State Department framed the measures as part of ongoing US support for the Iranian people's demands for fundamental rights. "We reaffirm our unwavering support for Iranians and their demand for peace and dignity," Pigott said. "We will continue to use all tools available to expose and promote accountability for the abuses by Iranian regime officials and other individuals." The announcement follows months of demonstrations across Iran sparked by economic grievances and demands for political change, which authorities met with widespread arrests and communications restrictions. Diplomatic Pressure Campaign The visa bans represent the latest in a series of US actions targeting Iranian officials over human rights abuses, including sanctions and designations under various authorities. The measures come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, which are simultaneously engaged in indirect nuclear negotiations mediated by Oman. The dual-track approach of diplomatic engagement with Iranian negotiators while imposing sanctions and visa restrictions on security officials reflects the administration's stated policy of pressuring Tehran while maintaining channels for dialogue on nuclear issues.