The US and UK imposed sweeping penalties on Thursday on Iran’s military drone program in retaliation for the Iranian strike on Israel over the weekend.
The Treasury Department announced in a statement that Washington is targeting “16 individuals and two entities enabling Iran’s UAV production, including engine types that power Iran’s Shahed variant UAVs, which were used in the April 13 attack.” The program in question pertains to Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle development.
“Several Iranian military organizations, individuals and entities involved in Iran’s UAV and ballistic missile industries” are the targets of the sanctions that the UK is implementing, according to the Treasury Department.
In response to an airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1—widely believed to have been carried out by Israel—that killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two generals, Tehran launched its first-ever direct military attack on Israel late Saturday, as reported by COZMATO.
Israel and its allies, notably the US and the UK, shot down most of the 300+ drones and missiles that were part of the large-scale attack, resulting in minimal damage.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has stated that Israel will defend itself in the event of more assaults.
In response to Iran’s extraordinary attack on Israel, we are responding quickly and decisively today in concert with the UK and after consulting with partners and friends.
Key components of Iran’s malevolent program, like as its UAV program and the money the regime makes to fund its terrorism, are being undermined and disrupted through the use of the Treasury’s economic tools.
“We will continue to employ our sanctions authorities to confront Iran with future actions in the days and weeks ahead,” US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.
The United States has sanctioned five companies that supply components to Iran’s steel industry in addition to Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle program.