State Department Sanctions Iran Official

The State Department announced sanctions against Hassan Shahvarpour, a brigadier general for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran, for human rights violations, the agency announced Jan. 17. Brian Hook, the State Department's special representative for Iran, said during a Jan. 17 press conference that the designation was the result of a tip the agency received from its Rewards for Justice Program (see 1911080020). Hook said Iranians have sent the agency more than 88,000 tips. “We will continue to hold more regime officials responsible for human rights violations,” Hook said. “We call on all nations to join our lead, particularly by sanctioning Iranian officials for human rights violations.”