U.S. and U.K. issue new sanctions on Iran
Targets include individuals, military groups and entities with ties to weekend attack on Israel.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. and U.K. on Thursday imposed a new round of sanctions on Iran as concern grows that Tehran’s unprecedented attack on Israel could fuel a wider war in the Middle East.
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control targeted 16 people and two entities in Iran that produce engines that power the drones used in Saturday’s attack. The office also sanctioned five firms involved in steel production and three subsidiaries of Iranian automaker Bahman Group — which is accused of materially supporting Iran’s military and other sanctioned groups. A representative from Bahman was not available for comment.
Additionally, the U.K. is targeting several Iranian military organizations, individuals and entities involved in Iran’s drone and ballistic missile industries.
President Biden said in a statement that he had directed the U.S. Treasury “to continue to impose sanctions that further degrade Iran’s military industries.”
“Let it be clear to all those who enable or support Iran’s attacks,” he said, “we will not hesitate to take all necessary action to hold you accountable.”
In addition to the Treasury’s sanctions, the Commerce Department is imposing new controls to restrict Iran’s access to basic commercial-grade microelectronics, which apply to items manufactured outside the U.S. that are produced using American technology.
The actions come after U.S. officials this week warned that they were readying new sanctions in response to Iran’s activity in the region and to prevent future attacks. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill also have been quickly advancing legislation that would financially punish the Islamic Republic and its leaders.
Iran’s weekend attack came in response to what it says was an Israeli strike on Iran’s consulate in Syria this month. Israel’s military chief said Monday that his country will respond to the Iranian attack, while world leaders caution against retaliation, trying to avoid a spiral of violence.
European Union leaders also vowed Wednesday to ramp up sanctions on Iran, targeting its drone and missile deliveries to proxies in the Gaza Strip, Yemen and Lebanon.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bloc’s existing sanctions regime would be strengthened and expanded to punish Tehran and help prevent future attacks on Israel. At the same time, he said, Israel needed to exercise restraint.
“I don’t want to exaggerate, but we are on the edge of a war, a regional war in the Middle East, which will be sending shock waves to the rest of the world, and in particular to Europe,” he warned. “So stop it.”