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The United States has officially announced new sanctions targeting Iran and the country’s drone manufacturing following its attack on Israel last weekend.
The sanctions, revealed by the Treasury Department, target 16 individuals and two entities associated with the Iranian drone production, notably the engines used in the notorious explosive Shahed drones. Additionally, the sanctions extend to five companies involved in Iran’s steel industry, the Iranian automaker Bahman Group, and three subsidiaries.
These organizations are accused of supporting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, contributing to military capabilities. In her announcement, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the US is taking “swift and decisive action to respond to Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel.” She added, “We’re using Treasury’s economic tools to degrade and disrupt key aspects of Iran’s malign activity, including its drone program and the revenue the regime generates to support its terrorism.”
Earlier in the week, signals from the White House indicated impending sanctions following Iran’s use of over 300 missiles and drones targeting Israel, an attack thwarted mainly by Western & Israeli defenses.
President Joe Biden, reinforcing the US stance, stated that the new sanctions specifically target “the Iranian government’s missile and drone program that enabled this brazen assault.” He further pledged, “We are committed to acting collectively to increase economic pressure on Iran,” mentioning that allies would also introduce additional sanctions and measures.
The UK also joined the US in imposing sanctions, with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak saying, “These sanctions—announced with the US—show we unequivocally condemn this behavior, and they will further limit Iran’s ability to destabilize the region.” He added that Iran’s actions are “reckless act and a dangerous escalation.”
This comes as the United States has implemented sanctions against more than 600 Iranian entities over the past three years.
