Iran considering imposing sanctions on US officials for ’human rights violations’

Iran is considering imposing sanctions on US officials for "human rights violations," attempting to turn the tables after years of sanctions imposed by the West.

According to Arman daily, Iran's parliament was set to debate censuring 26 US officials. The Iranian development came as European Union foreign ministers added 100 Iranian companies and individuals to a sanctions blacklist.

"Under this plan, 26 American officials who have a history of human rights violations in the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan, and who support terrorism will be sanctioned," lawmaker Kazem Jalali was quoted as saying.

Jalali, spokesman of parliament's national security and foreign policy committee, did not name the officials but said if lawmakers approve the draft, "there will be punitive measures considered for them."

The United States has imposed many rafts of sanctions on Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution and the occupation of the US embassy. In recent years it has secured United Nations Security Council backing for sanctions aimed at the nuclear program Washington claims is aimed at making a bomb but which Iran insists is purely peaceful.

The nature of the planned Iranian sanctions was not clear, but it is doubtful financial measure would have much impact since US officials are unlikely to have assets in the Islamic Republic.