Republican U.S. Senators Mark Kirk and Marco Rubio have introduced new legislation that calls for the designation of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Hassan Rohani, and other top officials as human rights violators.
Kirk said in a statement released on July 10, "It’s time to hold Iranian officials accountable for their blatant violation of basic human rights."
Rubio said the legislation would take steps to require President Barack Obama to hold accountable Iranian leaders and individuals for all human rights violations they have directed or participated in since the 2009 disputed presidential vote that led to a state crackdown against the opposition.
The legislation calls for the appointment of a "special coordinator on human rights and democracy in Iran" and the allocation of $32 million for democracy promotion programs in the country.
It also calls for expanded international broadcasting into Iran.