The News18 article accurately reports that the Trump administration targeted Ali Larijani, then Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), and officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) with new sanctions. This action was taken in response to the Iranian regime's violent suppression of widespread anti-government protests that erupted across Iran, particularly after late 2019. While several search results displayed an incorrect publication date of 'January 15, 2026' due to a search engine anomaly, historical records confirm these sanctions were indeed imposed by the Trump administration. The U.S. Treasury Department, under then-Secretary Steven Mnuchin, announced these measures, accusing designated officials of orchestrating the brutal crackdown and human rights abuses against peaceful demonstrators. For instance, the State Department sanctioned an IRGC commander on January 17, 2020, for his involvement in the November 2019 crackdown. The sanctions also extended to regional commanders of Iran's Law Enforcement Forces and IRGC in provinces like Lorestan and Fars, where significant violence against civilians was reported. Additionally, the measures aimed to disrupt illicit 'shadow banking' networks used to launder proceeds from Iranian oil and petrochemical sales, allegedly diverting funds that should benefit the Iranian people to finance repression and support for militant groups. This move was a key component of the Trump administration's broader "maximum pressure" campaign against Tehran, aimed at compelling a change in Iran's behavior regarding its nuclear program, missile development, and regional destabilizing activities.