国际英语新闻：U.S. imposes sanctions on 8 Iranian officials for human rights abuses

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on eight Iranian government officials for " serious human rights abuses against the people of Iran."

The White House charged that these senior Iranian officials, based on credible evidence, "were involved in the commission of serious human rights abuses during or after Iran's 2009 presidential election."

"The individuals designated will be subject to financial sanctions and visa ineligibilities under U.S. law," the White House said in a statement. "The list of names is not exhaustive and will continue to grow based on events in Iran, and as additional information and evidence becomes available."

The statement claimed that the "United States is strongly committed to the promotion of human rights around the world, including in the Islamic Republic of Iran," and will always "stand with those in Iran who aspire to have their voices heard."

"We will be a voice for those aspirations that are universal, and we continue to call upon the Iranian government to respect the rights of its people," the White House said.

In his address last week to the United Nations General Assembly, U.S. President Barack Obama listed human rights as "a matter of moral and pragmatic necessity for the United States."