U.S. targets Iran and Russia with new sanctions over hostages, wrongfully detained Americans
CBSN
Washington — The Biden administration announced new sanctions Thursday targeting Russia's security service and Iran's elite military intelligence unit, along with four of its leaders, in an effort to hold them accountable for taking American hostages and wrongfully detaining U.S. citizens.
"These actors in Russia and Iran have tried to use Americans for political leverage, or to seek concessions from the United States. These actions threaten the stability and integrity of the international political system. They also threaten the safety of U.S. nationals and other persons abroad," a senior administration officials told reporters.
Officials said the sanctions target Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) and Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and are meant to "promote accountability for culprits" and "prevent and deter" future wrongful detentions. They said the FSB and IRGC have been involved in and ordered the arrests of Americans who have been wrongfully detained.
