Iran Dismisses US Sanctions of Iranians over Alleged Kidnap Plot

Iran dismissed new US sanctions on four Iranians over an alleged plot to kidnap an Iranian-American journalist. (Reuters)
Iran dismissed new US sanctions on four Iranians over an alleged plot to kidnap an Iranian-American journalist. (Reuters)
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Iran Dismisses US Sanctions of Iranians over Alleged Kidnap Plot

Iran dismissed new US sanctions on four Iranians over an alleged plot to kidnap an Iranian-American journalist. (Reuters)
Iran dismissed new US sanctions on four Iranians over an alleged plot to kidnap an Iranian-American journalist. (Reuters)

Iran on Saturday dismissed new US sanctions on four Iranians over an alleged plot to kidnap an Iranian-American journalist, saying the move reflects Washington’s “addiction to sanctions”.

The US Treasury Department on Friday sanctioned the four, saying they were intelligence operatives behind the failed plot.

“Supporters and merchants of sanctions, who see their sanctions tool box empty due to Iran’s maximum resistance, are now resorting to Hollywood scenarios to keep the sanctions alive,” the Foreign Ministry said in a tweet, quoting spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh.

“Washington must understand that it has no choice but to abandon its addiction to sanctions and respect Iran,” he said.

The sanctions come after US prosecutors in July charged the four with plotting to kidnap a New York-based journalist who was critical of Tehran. Reuters previously confirmed she was Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad.

Iran at the time called the alleged plot “ridiculous and baseless.”

Those sanctioned are senior Iran-based intelligence official Alireza Shahvaroghi Farahani and Iranian intelligence operatives Mahmoud Khazein, Kiya Sadeghi and Omid Noori, the Treasury Department said.

The sanctions block all property of the four in the United States or in US control, and prohibit any transactions between them and US citizens. Other non-Americans who conduct certain transactions with the four could also be subjected to US sanctions, the department said.



Russian Forces Hit Ukrainian Troops in Sumy Region with Iskander Missile

A resident carries window screens outside a damaged apartment building that is on fire after a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 17, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Peter TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
A resident carries window screens outside a damaged apartment building that is on fire after a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 17, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Peter TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
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Russian Forces Hit Ukrainian Troops in Sumy Region with Iskander Missile

A resident carries window screens outside a damaged apartment building that is on fire after a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 17, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Peter TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
A resident carries window screens outside a damaged apartment building that is on fire after a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 17, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Peter TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Russian forces hit a Ukrainian troop position in the northeast Sumy region with an Iskander missile, state news agency TASS cited the Russian defence ministry as saying on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

The Russian defense ministry did not provide the date of the strike, but said the area around city of Konotop was targeted.

Ukrainian authorities in the region reported an Iskander missile strike on Konotop on Monday. The local administration said on Facebook that it had damaged flats in several multi-storey buildings and that there were no casualties.

Ukraine in recent days has been trying to drive Russian forces from Sumy region, where border areas are gripped by heavy fighting.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on the weekend that Russia has amassed 53,000 troops in the region.