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The United States has announced new sanctions on multiple individuals and entities in Iran and Venezuela.

Getting into it: The sanctions, rolled out by the US Department of the Treasury, target 10 individuals and entities based in Iran and Venezuela accused of supporting weapons development and military cooperation between the two countries. Among the most prominent designations are Venezuela-based Empresa Aeronautica Nacional SA (EANSA) and its chair, Jose Jesus Urdaneta Gonzalez, which US officials say helped assemble and maintain Iranian-designed military drones inside Venezuela. In simple terms, US authorities allege this company acted as a local partner that helped Iran move drone technology into Venezuela and adapt it for use by the Venezuelan military.

The sanctions also hit several Iran-based individuals and companies accused of supplying materials used in ballistic missile production. According to Treasury officials, these actors were involved in procuring chemicals that can be used to make rocket fuel and missile components. US officials say these materials are critical to Iran’s missile program and that cutting off access to international finance makes it harder for Iran to build and test advanced weapons. The Treasury argues that while these items can have civilian uses, in this case they were being diverted to support military programs.

Treasury Under Secretary John Hurley said the measures are meant to hold Iran and Venezuela “accountable” for what the US calls the reckless spread of weapons technology. Officials claim the sanctions are designed to disrupt supply chains, financing, and coordination between military-linked companies in both countries.

These actions come as the United States ramps up pressure on Venezuela. At the same time, the sanctions arrive amid rare economic protests inside Iran, where rising prices, currency weakness, and unemployment have fueled public anger.