The White House will impose new sanctions on Iran targeting Tehran’s missile and drone program following the country’s “unprecedented” airstrike on Israel, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said. announced on Tuesday.
The new sanctions, which will come into force “in the coming days”, will penalize Tehran for its attack on Israel over the weekend.
Sullivan said the new sanctions will target “entities” that support the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s Ministry of Defense.
“These new sanctions and other measures will continue constant pressure to contain and degrade Iran’s military capability and effectiveness and confront the full range of its problematic behaviors,” Sullivan said.
Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones against Israel on Saturday night in response to an Israeli airstrike in early April that killed several Iranian military officers in Damascus, Syria. Most of the drones and missiles were shot down by Israel and its allies.
“President Biden is coordinating with allies and partners, including the G7, and with bipartisan leaders in Congress, on a comprehensive response,” Sullivan said.
“We anticipate that our allies and partners will soon impose their own sanctions,” he said.
The US has targeted Iran with sanctions, seeking to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons and putting pressure on its economy.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also pointed out the sanctions during a press conference on Tuesday. She warned that Iran’s conduct could lead to “economic repercussions.”
“From this weekend’s attack to the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, Iran’s actions threaten the stability of the region and could cause economic repercussions,” she said on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press (AP).
Yellen also referenced previous sanctions the Biden administration has imposed on Iranian-funded groups.
“We have targeted more than 500 individuals and entities linked to terrorism and terrorist financing by the Iranian regime and its proxies since the beginning of the administration,” Yellen said, according to the AP.
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