On Thursday, the UK, in tandem with the United States and Canada, announced new sanctions against Iran’s drone and missile industries following its recent attack on Israel.
Tehran’s assault, a response to an April 1 airstrike that killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Damascus, marked its first direct military strike on Israeli territory. Despite deploying over 300 drones and missiles, most were intercepted by Israel and its allies, resulting in minimal damage.
Last week, the United States and Britain unveiled broad sanctions on Iran, targeting individuals and entities involved in its drone industry. The latest measures focus on two individuals and four companies closely linked to Iran’s drone production network. Additionally, trade sanctions against Iran will expand to include bans on exporting components used in drone and missile production.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron condemned Iran’s attack on Israel, stating it endangered civilians and risked escalating tensions in the region. He emphasized the collective effort to restrict Iran’s development and export of such weaponry. The UK has already imposed over 400 sanctions on Iran, including designations against the entire IRGC and individuals involved in the attack on Israel.
In parallel, the US Treasury Department sanctioned numerous individuals, companies, and vessels associated with Iran’s military drone program, accusing them of facilitating clandestine sales of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Iran’s defense ministry. The Treasury emphasized the collaboration with British and Canadian partners to counter Iran’s destabilizing activities.
These joint sanctions follow previous actions by Washington against individuals and entities involved in Iran’s UAV program and components used in the attack on Israel. Additionally, the UK targeted individuals and entities enabling Iran’s regional destabilization.
Amidst these measures, the European Union also implemented its own set of sanctions on Iran during a summit in Brussels.
