UK joins US and Canada in imposing sanctions on Iran's drone and missile industries

In response to Iran's latest attack on Israel, the United Kingdom joined the United States, and Canada in announcing further restrictions targeting Iran's drone and missile industries. This move comes after Tehran launched a direct military attack on Israeli territory nearly two weeks after Israel was widely blamed for an airstrike on April 1 that killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Damascus.

Over 300 drones and missiles were used in Iran's massive onslaught; however, the most of them were intercepted by Israel and its allies, which included the United States and the United Kingdom, causing little damage.

Targeting people and organizations connected to Iran's drone sector, the US and the UK imposed extensive penalties last week. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office has announced the new penalties, which are directed against four firms and two persons who are directly associated with Iran's drone manufacturing network.

In addition, new limitations on the sale of parts used in the manufacture of drones and missiles would be added to the existing economic sanctions against Iran.

"The Iranian regime's dangerous attack on Israel risked thousands of civilian casualties and wider escalation in the region," Foreign Secretary David Cameron said, highlighting the significance of these actions. We'll keep putting more pressure on Iran to stop producing and transferring these lethal weapons, working with our allies."

Over 400 sanctions have already been placed on Iran by the UK, including designations targeting members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and those accountable for the attack on Israel.

Parallel to these initiatives, the US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on more than a dozen people, organizations, and ships connected to Iran's military drone program.

The sanctions are based on their alleged involvement in enabling and funding the covert transfer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to the country's defense ministry.

These steps are part of a larger plan to address Iran's disruptive acts, which also include the country's backing for Russia's conflict in Ukraine and its distribution of unmanned aerial vehicles to terrorist organizations.

Alongside the United States and the United Kingdom, Canada joined the concerted effort by placing sanctions on Iran's defense minister and a top commander.

Washington has targeted people, businesses, and parts of Iran's UAV program, and now these combined penalties follow suit. In addition, the UK government unveiled further penalties targeting people and businesses who support Iran's efforts to destabilize the area. 

Source: AFP