Overview

Salar Abnoush is the U.S.-designated deputy commander of the Basij, a paramilitary militia and subsidiary force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).“Designating Iran’s Morality Police and Seven Officials for Human Rights Abuses in Iran,” U.S. Department of State, September 22, 2022, https://www.state.gov/designating-irans-morality-police-and-seven-officials-for-human-rights-abuses-in-iran. On September 22, 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Abnoush as a Specially Designated National (SDN) for his role in suppressing dissent throughout Iran and engaging in serious human rights abuses.“Designating Iran’s Morality Police and Seven Officials for Human Rights Abuses in Iran,” U.S. Department of State, September 22, 2022, https://www.state.gov/designating-irans-morality-police-and-seven-officials-for-human-rights-abuses-in-iran.

The IRGC is an Iranian government agency tasked with defending the regime against internal and external threats, of which the Basij, literally “mobilization,” is a paramilitary organization charged with channeling popular support for the Iranian regime. The Basij has two missions: to provide defensive military training to protect the regime against foreign invasion, and to suppress domestic anti-regime activity through street violence and intimidation.“Department of Treasury and State Announce Sanctions of Iranian Security Forces for Human Rights Abuses,” U.S. Department of State, June 9, 2011, https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/06/165300.htm.

Abnoush has publicly described his command-and-control role over Basij forces during the November 2019 protests. The Basij have been linked to the killing of unarmed protestors on numerous occasions.“Treasury Sanctions Iran’s Morality Police and Senior Security Officials for Violence Against Protesters and the Death of Mahsa Amini,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 22, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0969. The November 2019 protests, of which Abnoush described as a “full-scale world war” against the Islamic Republic, were carried out in response to excessive price hikes in petroleum.“Guards' Basij Commander Says Ending Iran Protests ‘A Miracle’,” Radio Farda, November 18, 2019, https://www.rferl.org/a/Irans_Islamic_Militia_Says_It_Will_Confront_Riots/1881256.html. Tens of thousands of people demonstrated on the street leading authorities to implement a near total internet shutdown. The protests resulted in clashes with Iranian security forces and led to the deaths of 321 people.“Iran: Details of 321 deaths in crackdown on November 2019 protests [July 2022 update],” Amnesty International, July 29, 2022, https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde13/2308/2020/en/#:~:text=This%20document%20contains%20the%20details,announcement%20about%20the%20significant%20overnight.

In September 2022, the IRGC and the Basij joined in violently suppressing protests that erupted after the September 16 death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who died in custody after being detained by Tehran’s morality police, the Guidance Patrol, earlier in the month. The Guidance Patrol sent Amini to a detention center to undergo re-education when they claimed she was not wearing a hijab properly. She died three days later. In response, protests erupted across the country against Iran’s theocratic rule. The IRGC and Basij aided in suppressing the protests, leading to violent clashes with protesters. On September 22, the IRGC issued a statement of support for Iranian police in combating the protests and accused protesters of sedition. Additionally, the IRGC claimed it identified the individuals who sparked the protests and would mete out punishment. At least 57 protesters were killed since the protests began after confrontations with Iranian security forces, but information has been limited due to disrupted and limited Internet access throughout the country.Arsalan Shahla, “Iran Launches Artillery Against Militants in Northern Iraq,” Bloomberg, September 24, 2022, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-24/iran-launches-artillery-against-militants-in-northern-iraq; “Exclusive: IRGC Commanders’ Families Placed in Tehran ‘Safe House,” Iran Wire, September 26, 2022, https://iranwire.com/en/iran/107958-exclusive-irgc-commanders-families-placed-in-tehran-safe-house; “IRGC will not hesitate to target origin of any anti-Iran operation wherever it may be: General,” Press TV, September 27, 2022, https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/09/27/689915/IRGC-will-not-hesitate-target-origin-any-anti-Iran-operation-General; Caitlin McFall, “The Guardian Patrol sent Amini to a detention center to undergo re-education when they claimed she was not wearing a hijab properly. She died three days later.,” Fox News, September 24, 2022, https://www.foxnews.com/world/protestors-clash-revolutionary-guard-northern-iran-torch-irgc-base-reports; “Iran’s Guards Break Their Silence, Warn Protesters,” Iran International, September 22, 2022, https://www.iranintl.com/en/202209229946.

On September 22, 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Abnoush as an SDN for acting on behalf of the government of Iran and being complicit in, ordering, and directing the commission of serious human rights abuses against persons in Iran or Iranian citizens or residents.“Treasury Sanctions Iran’s Morality Police and Senior Security Officials for Violence Against Protesters and the Death of Mahsa Amini,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 22, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0969.

Also Known As

• Salar Abnoosh“Iran-related Designations and Designation Update; Cyber-related Designation Update,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 22, 2022, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20220922.