US, UK unveil sweeping sanctions on Iran's drone program

The United States and Britain have jointly announced extensive sanctions targeting Iran’s military drone program following Iran’s recent attack on Israel over the weekend. The sanctions, unveiled on Thursday, aim to curb Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities, which were employed in the assault on Israel.

According to the Treasury Department, Washington’s sanctions specifically target “16 individuals and two entities enabling Iran’s UAV production,” including the engine types powering Iran’s Shahed variant UAVs, utilized in the April 13 attack. The assault marked Tehran’s first direct military strike on Israel, purportedly in retaliation for an April 1 airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, attributed to Israel.

The attack involved over 300 drones and missiles, most of which were intercepted by Israel and its allies, resulting in minimal damage. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted his nation’s right to self-defense in response to the aggression.

In a statement, US President Joe Biden emphasized collective action among G7 leaders to intensify economic pressure on Iran, reinforcing the commitment to hold Iran accountable for its destabilizing military endeavors. The US and UK allies are also implementing additional sanctions targeting Iranian military organizations and individuals associated with Iran’s UAV and ballistic missile industries.

The sanctions extend beyond Iran’s UAV program, encompassing measures against the country’s steel industry. The US has targeted five companies supplying parts to Iran’s steel sector, along with an automaker providing support to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen asserted the swift and decisive nature of the sanctions in response to Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel. She emphasized the utilization of economic tools to disrupt Iran’s malign activities, including its UAV program, and to diminish the regime’s revenue streams supporting terrorism. Yellen vowed continued deployment of sanctions to counter Iran in the coming days and weeks.