WASHINGTON: The United States and UK on Thursday announced extensive sanctions against Iran’s military drone program, in response to its weekend attack against Israel. “Today, we are holding Iran accountable — imposing new extensive sanctions and export controls,” US President Joe Biden said in a statement.
The action comes in the wake of Iran’s unprecedented direct military assault on Israel over the weekend, prompted by an air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1. The Israeli attack on Iranian consulate resulted in the deaths of seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two generals.
The retaliatory attack by Iran involved more than 300 drones and missiles, aimed at Israeli targets. However, Israeli defense systems, supported by allies including the US and the UK, managed to intercept most of the projectiles.
The sanctions imposed by the US specifically target 16 individuals and two companies associated with Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program, along with components used in the drones deployed during the attack. Additionally, the Treasury Department has sanctioned five companies involved in providing parts for Iran’s steel industry, as well as an automaker accused of offering “material support” to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
UK Imposes Sanctions on Iran’s Drone Program
The UK government has also announced its own set of sanctions targeting seven individuals and six companies allegedly enabling Iran’s destabilizing regional activities, including the attack on Israel. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned Iran’s actions as “reckless” and “dangerous,” emphasizing the UK’s commitment to thwarting such behavior.
“These sanctions — announced with the US — show we unequivocally condemn this behavior, and they will further limit Iran’s ability to destabilize the region,” Sunak stated.
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen affirmed the intention to continue using economic tools to disrupt Iran’s malign activities, including its UAV program and the revenue streams. Yellen asserted, “We will continue to deploy our sanctions authority to counter Iran with further actions in the days and weeks ahead.”
