U.S. and UK Impose Sanctions On Iran In Response To Drone Strikes Targeting Israel

The United States and the United Kingdom have jointly announced sweeping sanctions against Iran in response to its recent drone and missile attack on Israel.

The US Treasury Department said it is targeting “16 individuals and two entities enabling Iran’s UAV production, including engine types that power Iran’s Shahid variant UAVs, which were used in the April 13 attack,” referring to Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle programme.

The United Kingdom also imposes sanctions targeting several Iranian military organisations, individuals and entities involved in Iran’s UAV and ballistic missile industries, the Treasury Department said.

Iran launched its first-ever direct military attack on Israel late Saturday in response to an April 1 airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, widely attributed to Israel. The Damascus attack resulted in the deaths of seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two generals.

Israel and its allies, including the US and the UK, largely intercepted Iran’s attack, which involved over 300 drones and missiles, consequently leading to minimal damage.

In response to the attacks, Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israel reserves the right to protect itself.

Today, in coordination with the United Kingdom and consultation with partners and allies, we are taking swift and decisive action to respond to Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.

We’re using Treasury’s economic tools to degrade and disrupt key aspects of Iran’s malign activity, including its UAV program and the revenue the regime generates to support its terrorism, she continued.

We will continue to deploy our sanctions authority to counter Iran with further actions in the days and weeks ahead, she added.

In a statement, US President Joe Biden said that he had directed the US Treasury,

To continue to impose sanctions that further degrade Iran’s military industries.

He warned those aiding Iran’s actions, saying, Let it be clear to all those who enable or support Iran’s attacks, we will not hesitate to take all necessary action to hold you accountable.

Alongside Treasury sanctions, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is implementing additional controls to limit Iran’s access to basic commercial-grade microelectronics.

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