Overview

Mohammad Nazar Azimi is the internationally designated Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander of the Najaf Ashraf West Headquarters, which oversees the Iranian provinces of Kermanshah, Hamadan, and Ilam.“CONSOLIDATED LIST OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS TARGETS IN THE UK,” HM Treasury, last updated April 24, 2023, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1152335/Iran__Human_Rights_.pdf. He holds the rank of brigadier general.“Iran-related Designations and Designation Update; Non-Proliferation Designation Update; Counter Terrorism Designation Update,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 23, 2023, https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20230123. According to the United States, forces under the command of Azimi and his deputy, Kourosh Asiabani, “have committed some of the worst acts of violence by Iranian security forces since the beginning of protests in September 2022.”“Treasury Sanctions the IRGC Cooperative Foundation and Senior Iranian Officials Connected to Protest Suppression,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 23, 2023, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1209.

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 in September 2022.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.

According to the U.S. government, forces under Azimi’s command used live ammunition against protesters in the town of Javanrud in Kermanshah province. The IRGC has also shelled vehicles attempting to deliver blood bags to local hospitals. According to the U.S. government, witnesses have personally linked Azimi to these incidents. “Treasury Sanctions the IRGC Cooperative Foundation and Senior Iranian Officials Connected to Protest Suppression,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, January 23, 2023, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1209. The United Kingdom accuses Azimi of complicity in “serious human rights violations,” including violations of the right to life, freedom of expression, and peaceful assembly. The United Kingdom also accuses Azimi of violating the right to not be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.“CONSOLIDATED LIST OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS TARGETS IN THE UK,” HM Treasury, last updated April 24, 2023, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1152335/Iran__Human_Rights_.pdf.