Amanollah Goshtasbi

Amanollah Goshtasbi is the deputy inspector of the Ground Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He previously served as commander of the IRGC’s Salman Corps, during which forces under his command are alleged to have opened fire on Baluch citizens on multiple occasions, leading to several deaths.“Treasury Sanctions Senior Iranian Officials Overseeing Violent Protest Suppression and Censorship,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, April 24, 2023, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1436.

In September 2022, the IRGC joined in violently suppressing protests that erupted after the September 16 death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who died in custody after being detained by Tehran’s morality police, the Guidance Patrol, earlier in the month. The Guidance Patrol sent Amini to a detention center to undergo re-education when they claimed she was not wearing a hijab properly. She died three days later. In response, protests erupted across the country against Iran’s theocratic rule. The IRGC aided in suppressing the protests, leading to violent clashes with protesters. At least 522 protesters have been killed since the protests began.Arsalan Shahla, “Iran Launches Artillery Against Militants in Northern Iraq,” September 24, 2022, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-24/iran-launches-artillery-against-militants-in-northern-iraq?leadSource=uverify%20wall; “IRGC will not hesitate to target origin of any anti-Iran operation wherever it may be: General,” Press TV, September 27, 2022, https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/09/27/689915/IRGC-will-not-hesitate-target-origin-any-anti-Iran-operation-General; Caitlin McFall, “The Guardian Patrol sent Amini to a detention center to undergo re-education when they claimed she was not wearing a hijab properly. She died three days later.,” Fox News, September 24, 2022, https://www.foxnews.com/world/protestors-clash-revolutionary-guard-northern-iran-torch-irgc-base-reports; “Iran’s Guards Break Their Silence, Warn Protesters,” Iran International, September 22, 2022, https://www.iranintl.com/en/202209229946; “Lebanon’s Hezbollah Helping Iran In Its Pro-Government Propaganda,” Iran International, October 9, 2022, https://www.iranintl.com/en/202210091141; Vivian Yee and Farnaz Fassihi, “Iran Has Abolished Morality Police, an Official Suggests, After Months of Protests,” New York Times, last updated December 5, 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/04/world/middleeast/iran-morality-police.html; Patrick Wintour and Maryam Foumani, “Iran: mass strike starts amid mixed messages around abolishment of morality police,” Guardian (London), December 5, 2022, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/05/iran-strike-abolishment-morality-police; Agence France-Presse, “At least 522 Have Died in Iran Protests, Human Rights Report Says,” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, January15, 2023, https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-protests-death-count-human-rights-report/32224340.html#:~:text=At%20least%20522%20people%20have,security%20forces%2C%20the%20agency%20reported.

Also Known As

Extremist entity
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
Read Threat Report
Type(s) of Organization:
Military, terrorist, transnational, violent
Ideologies and Affiliations:
Islamist, Khomeinist, Shiite, state actor
Position(s):
Deputy inspector of the IRGC’s Ground Forces

The IRGC is an Iranian government agency tasked with defending the regime against internal and external threats. The IRGC uses secret police methods against its opponents within Iran, and terrorist tactics against its enemies abroad.

  • Designations

United States

  • April 24, 2023

    The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control added Amanollah Goshtasbi to its Specially Designated Nationals list on April 24, 2023.“Treasury Sanctions Senior Iranian Officials Overseeing Violent Protest Suppression and Censorship,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, April 24, 2023, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1436.

Return to Full Database

Daily Dose

Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.

Fact:

On May 8, 2019, Taliban insurgents detonated an explosive-laden vehicle and then broke into American NGO Counterpart International’s offices in Kabul. At least seven people were killed and 24 were injured.

View Archive