By Ginika Igboke
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked the privileges allowing senior Iranian officials and their family members to be present in the United States, the State Department announced in a Jan. 29 post on X.
“As the people of Iran continue to fight for their basic rights, [Rubio] took action this week to revoke the privilege of Iranian senior officials and their family members to be in the United States,” the department said. “Those who profit from the Iranian regime’s brutal oppression are not welcome to benefit from our immigration system.”
Iran has seen widespread unrest since late December, when protests erupted over high inflation, rising living costs, and the collapse of the national currency. The demonstrations have since expanded into broader calls for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned Tehran against executing protesters, cautioning that such actions could prompt a U.S. military response.
Authorities in Iran have responded with force. According to a Jan. 29 report by the Human Rights Activists News Agency, 6,479 deaths were recorded within 33 days of the protests. Of those, 6,092 were protesters, 214 were government-affiliated forces, 118 were children under 18, and 55 were non-protesting civilians. The report also cited more than 11,000 injured civilians and 281 cases of forced confessions. The figures could not be independently verified.
Rubio’s move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to escalate pressure on Tehran. On Jan. 28, Trump said a “massive armada” was heading toward Iran, describing it as moving “quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose,” while urging Iranian leaders to reach a deal on nuclear weapons.
Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations responded by warning that the country would defend itself and “respond like never before” if provoked, while also saying Tehran remained open to dialogue based on mutual respect and interests.
Separately, the Treasury Department announced on Jan. 23 that it was increasing pressure on Iran’s so-called “shadow fleet” used to transport oil. The Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on nine vessels and their owners or management companies, which it said had collectively moved hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian oil to global markets.
Under the sanctions, any U.S.-based property or assets controlled by U.S. persons linked to the designated entities are blocked.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Iranian regime’s economic crisis has been worsened by the administration’s maximum pressure campaign, accusing Tehran of prioritizing support for terrorist groups over the welfare of its citizens. He said the latest sanctions target a key source of funding used to repress the Iranian population.
The State Department said the measures would further restrict Iran’s ability to export oil through what it described as obscure and fraudulent channels, reaffirming that the United States will continue implementing National Security Presidential Memorandum 2. Signed by Trump last year, the directive calls for maximum pressure on Iran to curb its nuclear program, halt support for terrorism, and limit ballistic missile development.
In a related development, a U.S. institution announced it had severed ties with a family member of an Iranian official. Emory University School of Medicine in Georgia said that Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, the daughter of senior Iranian official Ali Larijani, is no longer employed by the school. The announcement followed public calls for her removal, including from Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), who cited national security concerns and her father’s role in the Iranian government.
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