US, UK announce new sanctions on Iran after missile and drone strike on Israel
- The US and UK imposed a new round of sanctions on Iran as concern grows that Tehran’s unprecedented attack on Israel could fuel a wider war in the Middle East
- Iran launched its first ever direct military attack on Israel on Saturday in retaliation for an air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus
The United States and the United Kingdom announced widespread sanctions against Iran’s military drone programme on Thursday in response to its weekend attack against Israel.
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 Treasury Department said in a statement, referring to Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle programme.
The United Kingdom is also imposing sanctions “targeting several Iranian military organizations, individuals and entities involved in Iran’s UAV and ballistic missile industries”, the Treasury Department said.
Tehran launched its first ever direct military attack on Israel late on Saturday in retaliation for an April 1 air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus – widely blamed on Israel – that killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two generals.
The large-scale attack involved more than 300 drones and missiles, most of which were shot down by Israel and its allies including the US and the UK, causing little damage.
In response to the attacks, Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israel reserves the right to protect itself.
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World leaders call for de-escalation after Iran launches air attack on Israel
“Today, in coordination with the United Kingdom and in 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.
