US, UK impose new sanctions on Iran over retaliation against Israel

The United States and United Kingdom in a coordinated move have imposed new widespread sanctions on Iran’s drone and missile programs after Tehran’s recent retaliatory operation against Israel.

UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron announced the sanctions at a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers in Italy on Thursday, four days after Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at the occupied territories in response to Israel’s attack on the Islamic Republic’s diplomatic premises in Syria.

The sanctions target Iran’s defense minister and other military figures and organizations including the Armed Forces General Staff and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy.

Britain’s sanctions, amounting to 13 in total, also target individuals whom it described as key actors within Iran’s drone and missile industries.

Washington’s sanctions target 16 people and two companies involved in Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program, as well as components for the drones used in the Saturday attack, according to the Treasury Department.

Alongside its sanctions against Iran’s UAV program, the US also targeted five companies providing parts for Iran’s steel industry, and an automaker involved in providing “material support” to the IRGC. 

In a coordinated package with the US, the European Union has also sanctioned leading Iranian military figures in response to Iran’s direct attack on Israel. 

During the weekend, Iran exercised its right of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter and conducted a retaliatory operation that involved firing over 300 missiles and drones at military sites in the occupied lands.

Iran hit a large intelligence base in the occupied lands and Israel’s Nevatim Airbase, from where an F-35 jet took off to target Iran’s consulate in Damascus.