Iran Strikes Back: Tehran to Compile Blacklist of US Officials Over ‘Terrorist Actions’
The move, spearheaded by the country’s Legal and International Affairs Department in coordination with the Supreme National Security Council, signals Tehran’s escalating efforts to push back against US pressure.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a bold counteroffensive against Washington, Iran has announced plans to compile a blacklist of American individuals allegedly involved in acts of terrorism, cyber sabotage, and human rights violations against Iranians, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on Wednesday.
The move, spearheaded by the country’s Legal and International Affairs Department in coordination with the Supreme National Security Council, signals Tehran’s escalating efforts to push back against US pressure.
Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi revealed the plan in a statement on X, lambasting the United States for what he called a long history of meddling in other nations’ internal affairs. He specifically denounced Washington’s use of the Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, which offers financial incentives for information on sanctioned Iranian nationals.
“US officials seem to have forgotten that when it comes to discussing terrorism, sabotage, threats, sanctions, and interference in the domestic affairs of other countries, the name of the United States is mentioned,” Gharibabadi asserted.
Legal Retaliation Against US Designations
Iran’s latest measure comes in direct response to US policies targeting Iranian institutions and individuals, particularly the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
The Foreign Ministry’s legal team, in consultation with security authorities, will use a range of existing laws to build the case against US figures, drawing on legislation related to human rights violations and alleged American aggression in West Asia.
While Iran has previously sanctioned US officials, this new blacklist appears to be a more coordinated and formalized effort. The initiative also underscores Iran’s broader strategy of leveraging international legal frameworks to counteract what it views as Washington’s unjustified hostilities.
Tit-for-Tat Escalation
This latest development highlights the deepening rift between Washington and Tehran, particularly as nuclear negotiations remain stalled and US sanctions continue to cripple Iran’s economy. The Iranian government has frequently framed US policies as a form of economic and political warfare, and this blacklist move signals a more aggressive stance.
However, despite Tehran’s rhetoric, it is unlikely that this initiative will result in any concrete actions against American individuals. Previous Iranian sanctions on US officials have largely been symbolic, serving as political statements rather than enforceable measures. Without international legal backing or practical enforcement mechanisms, this latest blacklist will likely remain a diplomatic maneuver rather than a real threat to American figures accused by Iran of actions against its national security.