US, UK impose massive sanctions against Iran’s military drone program
published by, Asmita Ravi Shankar
Last updated:
United States of America, USA)
Tehran launched its first direct military attack on Israel late Saturday in response to the April 1 airstrike. (Reuters)
Britain is also imposing sanctions “targeting a number of Iranian military organizations, individuals and entities involved in Iran’s UAV and ballistic missile industries.”
The United States and the United Kingdom announced sweeping sanctions against Iran’s military drone program on Thursday in response to the weekend attack against Israel.
“It is targeting 16 individuals and two entities that enable Iran’s UAV production,” the Treasury Department said in a statement, referring to Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle program, including the engines that power Iran’s Shaheed Edition UAVs. including the types that were used in the April 13 attack.”
The United Kingdom is also imposing sanctions “targeting a number of Iranian military organizations, individuals and entities involved in Iran’s UAV and ballistic missile industries,” the Treasury Department said.
Tehran launched its first direct military attack on Israel late Saturday in retaliation for an April 1 airstrike on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus — which was widely blamed on Israel — that killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two generals. were killed.
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 Britain, causing little damage.
In response to the attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel reserves the right to defend itself.
“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,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.
He added, “We are using Treasury’s economic tools to degrade and disrupt key aspects of Iran’s malign activity, including its UAV program and the revenues the regime generates to support its terrorism “
“We will continue to deploy our sanctions authority to confront Iran with further action in the coming days and weeks,” he said.
Along with sanctions against Iran’s UAV program, the US is also imposing sanctions on five companies that provide parts for Iran’s steel industry.
“Iran’s metals sector generates the equivalent of several billion dollars in revenue annually, much of which comes from steel exports,” the Treasury Department said. Additionally, it has sanctioned an automobile manufacturer involved in providing “material support” to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – AFP)
