The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has imposed sanctions on three officials from Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS). These individuals, Reza Amiri Moghadam, Gholamhossein Mohammadnia, and Taqi Daneshvar, are implicated in the abduction, detention, and probable death of former FBI Special Agent Robert A. "Bob" Levinson. This action builds upon previous sanctions from December 2020 against two other MOIS officers involved in Levinson's case.
Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent commented on Iran's human rights record, stating: "Iran’s treatment of Mr. Levinson remains a blight on Iran’s already grim record of human rights abuse." He emphasized the department's commitment to identifying those responsible for such actions.
FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted ongoing efforts to hold Iranian officers accountable: “Today’s action by our partners at the Department of the Treasury demonstrates that we continue to work together to identify additional Iranian officers involved in Bob’s abduction.” Patel affirmed that their investigation is ongoing and pledged continued support for Levinson's family.
These sanctions are executed under Executive Order 14078, which targets entities involved in hostage-taking or wrongful detention for leverage against the United States. The MOIS was previously designated under this order due to its involvement in similar activities.
Gholamhossein Mohammadnia was expelled from Albania in 2018 for national security concerns and allegedly attempted to deflect blame for Levinson's detention onto a terrorist group. Reza Amiri Moghadam has been linked with operations concerning Mr. Levinson while serving as an ambassador to Pakistan. Taqi Daneshvar oversaw activities related to Levinson during his disappearance from Kish Island.
Under these sanctions, any property belonging to these individuals within U.S. jurisdiction is blocked, with further restrictions on transactions involving them unless authorized by OFAC. Engaging with these designated persons may expose others to potential sanctions or enforcement actions.
OFAC maintains that its sanctions aim not just at punishment but at encouraging behavioral change among those sanctioned. For information regarding removal from sanction lists or more details about today's designations, OFAC provides resources online.
