Tuesday, September 8, 2026

U.S. slams travel ban on top Iranian government officials, family members

The Iranian government has repeatedly dismissed reports of massive killings of protesters.

• January 30, 2026
Donald Trump official potrait
Donald Trump

The U.S., on Friday, slammed top Iranian government officials and their family members with a travel ban over the brutal repression and clampdown on protesters by state agents.

The U.S. Department of State announced the move in a post on X on Friday, citing the ongoing crackdown on Iranian protesters.

“As the people of Iran continue to fight for their basic rights, @SecRubio took action this week to revoke the privilege of Iranian senior officials and their family members to be in the United States,” the U.S. Department of State’s post reads.

It added, “Those who profit from the Iranian regime’s brutal oppression are not welcome to benefit from our immigration system.”

Iran’s staggering inflation hit 42 per cent, while its currency, the rial, plummeted to an all-time low of 1.4 million rials per dollar, sparking protests on December 28.

For weeks, merchants, traders, and university students took to the streets, disrupting commercial and public activities across the country amid an internet blackout and a brutal police clampdown.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency on Friday reported that “Day 33 of Iran’s protests: 6,479 confirmed deaths, including 6,092 protesters and 118 children.”

It added, “17,091 cases remain under investigation. 11,020 injured, 11,027 summonses, and 660 protest incidents nationwide, as repression continues and the EU designates the IRGC a terrorist organization.”

Meanwhile, the Iranian government has repeatedly dismissed reports of massive killings of protesters as an “exaggeration,” admitting that “only hundreds” were killed during the protests sparked by an economic crisis that has lasted for two weeks.

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s minister of foreign affairs, in an interview with Fox News a few days ago, blamed foreign “terrorists elements” for infiltrating the protests and killing people to get American President Donald Trump to “intervene.”

He said, “Those claims are baseless. You know, there is no proof of that. The number of deaths are only hundreds. The exact figure will be annouced very soon. Hundreds of people. I certainly deny the numbers and figures they have said. It is an exaggeration. It is a misinformation campaign.”

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

CLEEN Foundation

States

CLEEN foundation seeks improved gender-responsive policies in Kaduna

Mr Maduoma said the dialogue was designed as a policy-to-practice platform rather than a conventional awareness-raising meeting.

PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU

Economy

Tinubu urges banks to translate capital into productive investment, employment

The president said that the government would continue to create space for more private sector credit.

AfDB

Africa

AfDB launches $5.1 billion emergency plan to ease Africa’s energy, fertiliser crises

Mr Kamara said, “A crisis response must do more than cushion the shock.”

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals

Economy

Refinery’s IPO is for Nigerians, anyone with BVN can participate, says Dangote 

Mr Dangote reaffirmed the company’s commitment to transparency, strong corporate governance, and sustainable shareholder value.

NationWide

“Content creator,” presidency slams Peter Obi for attending Seyi Makinde’s APM Abuja event

Mr Bwala said as a presidential candidate of a party, he attended a campaign flagging of another presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde.

States

Gov. Okpebholo gifts Edo Queens N50 million for double triumph

The governor commended the players for their doggedness and determination.