The State Department announced Wednesday that it is imposing visa restrictions on 18 Iranian regime officials, telecommunications industry leaders and their immediate family members.

The restrictions are related to the regime's violent crackdown last month on the largest protests that the country had seen in more than 40 years. The crackdown also included a near-total nationwide internet shutdown that severely restricted independent documentation of abuses.

The visa restriction policy targets officials believed to be complicit in serious violations of human rights, "particularly inhibiting the right of Iranians to free expression and peaceful assembly," according to the department.

"Even today, the regime continues to restrict the ability of Iranians to exercise their basic freedoms," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said. "As President Trump has made clear, the United States stands with the Iranian people.

"We reaffirm our unwavering support for Iranians and their demand for peace and dignity," he continued. "We will continue to use all tools available to expose and promote accountability for the abuses by Iranian regime officials and other individuals."

The restrictions come after Trump called for regime change in Iran, and both he and the Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have threatened each other with military action as tensions increase between Tehran and Washington.

It also comes after Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Iranian officials in Switzerland on Tuesday for nuclear talks.