US sanctions brother of Iran's Quds force commander — White House

WASHINGTON — The United States on Thursday sanctioned Sohrab Soleimani, the brother of the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, for his role in abuses in Iranian prisons, the White House said.

"The sanctions against human rights abusers in Iran's prisons comes at a time when Iran continues to unjustly detain... various foreigners, including US citizens," White House Spokesman Sean Spicer told a press briefing.

Soleimani is the brother of Qassem Soleimani, who leads Iran's Quds force, the elite special forces arm of the Revolutionary Guards.