Iran has announced plans to compile a list of Americans it accuses of terrorism, cyber sabotage and human rights violations against Iranians as tensions escalate between Tehran and Washington.
Newsweek has reached out to Iran’s Foreign Ministry and the U.S. State Department for comment.
Why It Matters
The United States has been ramping up pressure on Iran to negotiate a new nuclear deal. President Donald Trump has reinstated his “maximum pressure” strategy, imposing economic sanctions and military threats.
In response, Tehran has rejected talks until sanctions are lifted and seeks to counter U.S. policies targeting Iranian individuals, military personnel, and institutions. It frames its list as a legal challenge to what it views as Washington’s hostile actions.
In this picture released by the official website of the Iranian Army on Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025, the navy troops stand on domestically-built signals intelligence Zagros ship that joined to the navy fleet in the… In this picture released by the official website of the Iranian Army on Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025, the navy troops stand on domestically-built signals intelligence Zagros ship that joined to the navy fleet in the Gulf of Oman.
Iranian Army/AP Photo
What To Know
Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi, revealed the plan in a statement on X, criticizing U.S. foreign policy and its use of the Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program. The RFJ offers financial incentives for information on sanctioned Iranian nationals, a practice Tehran has strongly opposed.
“U.S. officials seem to have forgotten that when it comes to discussing terrorism, sabotage, threats, sanctions, and interference in the domestic affairs of other countries, the name of the United States is mentioned,” Gharibabadi said.
Rewards For IRGC Info.
The U.S. State Department is offering up to $15 million for information on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The U.S. designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization in 2019 during President Trump’s first term. At the time, Trump stated, “The IRGC actively participates in, finances, and promotes terrorism as a tool of statecraft. The IRGC is the Iranian government’s primary means of directing and implementing its global terrorist campaign.”
Nuclear Talks
Meanwhile, Iran has announced that it will hold its own nuclear talks with China and Russia in Beijing on March 14. The meeting, confirmed by Iran and China, will focus on nuclear developments and related issues, according to officials from the three nations.
In this Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019 file photo Iran’s Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi, waits for the start of the IAEA board of governors meeting at the International Center in… In this Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019 file photo Iran’s Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi, waits for the start of the IAEA board of governors meeting at the International Center in Vienna, Austria. The board of the United Nations’ atomic watchdog agency on Friday adopted a resolution calling for Iran to provide inspectors access to sites where the country is thought to have stored or used undeclared nuclear material.
Ronald Zak/AP Photo
What People Are Saying
Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, stated: “The objective is to sanction these individuals and initiate appropriate legal proceedings against them.”
U.S. State Department spokesperson said: “If the Iranian regime does not want a deal, the President is clear, Iran will remain under the restored maximum pressure campaign.”
What Happens Next
Despite Tehran’s strong rhetoric, previous Iranian sanctions on U.S. officials have been largely symbolic. Without international enforcement mechanisms, the terror list is likely to serve as a political statement rather than a measure with concrete consequences. However, the move underscores Iran’s broader strategy of using legal frameworks to push back against US pressure.
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