US and UK Introduce Sanctions on Iran’s Drone Program

The United States and the United Kingdom jointly announced comprehensive sanctions against Iran’s military drone program on Thursday, following Iran’s recent attack against Israel. The move targets individuals and entities involved in enabling Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) production, including engine types powering Iran’s Shahid variant UAVs utilized in the April 13 attack, according to the Treasury Department.

Simultaneously, the United Kingdom is imposing sanctions on various Iranian military organizations, individuals, and entities associated with Iran’s UAV and ballistic missile industries. Tehran’s direct military attack on Israel on Saturday, involving over 300 drones and missiles, was a response to an April 1 airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, attributed to Israel, resulting in casualties within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Despite the scale of the attack, most drones and missiles were intercepted by Israel and its allies, limiting damage. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense in response to the incident. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen emphasized the coordinated effort with the UK and vowed to disrupt Iran’s malign activities, targeting its UAV program and terrorism-related revenue using economic measures. Additionally, the US is sanctioning five companies supplying parts for Iran’s steel industry and an automaker providing support to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.