U.S. puts sanctions on Iran morality police, accusing unit of abusing women

FILE PHOTO: Iran's and U.S.' flags are seen printed on paper in this illustration taken January 27, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States on Thursday put sanctions on Iran's morality police over allegations of abuse of Iranian women, saying it held the unit responsible for the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in custody that has sparked protests around Iran.

The U.S. Treasury Department also accused the morality police of violating the rights of peaceful protesters and said it had imposed sanctions on seven senior Iranian military and security officials, including the chief of the Iranian army's ground forces.