Response to Israel attack
USA imposes new sanctions against Tehran
April 17, 2024, 1:32 a.m
Iran’s direct attack on Israel at the weekend has consequences for the Islamic Republic: The USA will expand the existing sanctions and, among others, is targeting the Revolutionary Guards. The EU is also planning punitive measures.
After the Iranian attack on Israel, the USA will impose new sanctions against Iran. This was announced by US President Joe Biden’s security advisor, Jake Sullivan. The sanctions are therefore directed against the Islamic Republic’s missile and drone program, against supporters of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and against the Iranian Ministry of Defense.
The steps would be coordinated with allies and allies, including the G7 countries, as well as with the leaders of Democrats and Republicans in the US Congress, the statement said. The Pentagon and the US regional command Centcom continued to work on strengthening defense capabilities in the region.
Iran attacked Israel on Sunday night with hundreds of drones, rockets and cruise missiles, but these were almost completely intercepted – also thanks to the support of the US military and other allies. The attack was in response to a suspected Israeli-led airstrike on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus that killed two generals from the influential Revolutionary Guard earlier this month.
EU wants to take action against arms deliveries
Iran also has to expect new EU sanctions from the EU. EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell said this on Tuesday evening. After a video link between the foreign ministers of the European Union member states, Borrell said he would ask his team to prepare for further punitive measures. “We will expand and tighten the sanctions regime (…).” Borrell did not say when the European Union’s planned new Iran sanctions could come into force. He simply referred to a regular EU foreign ministers meeting next Monday in Luxembourg.
According to Borrell, trade restrictions could, among other things, be expanded to make it more difficult for Iran to build missiles. It is also planned to target the delivery of drones and missiles to allies in the region. For both measures, a sanctions regime is to be expanded that was set up after Iran began supporting the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine with the delivery of drones. So far, among other things, it has banned the export of components to Iran that are used for the construction and production of unmanned aircraft. In addition, people and organizations are affected by the punitive measures.