UK and US impose new sanctions on Iran in wake of attack on Israel

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the action demonstrated London and Washington’s unequivocal condemnation of Iran’s weekend assault on Israel, which raised fears of further escalation in the Middle East.

The UK on Thursday added seven individuals and six entities involved in Tehran’s drone and ballistic missile sector to its sanctions list.

The 13 new entries, which include the leadership of Iran’s armed forces and its defence minister, are now subject to a travel ban and asset freeze.

Mr Sunak said: “The Iranian regime’s attack against Israel was a reckless act and a dangerous escalation.

“Today we have sanctioned the ringleaders of the Iranian military and forces responsible for the weekend’s attack.

“These sanctions – announced with the US – show we unequivocally condemn this behaviour, and they will further limit Iran’s ability to destabilise the region.”

Iranian defence minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani and Major-General Gholamali Rashid, commander of Iran’s central military headquarters, are both now subject to UK sanctions along with five other people linked to the Iranian defence industry.

These include directors and managers at Aerospace Industries Organisation, Shahid Hemmat Industries Group and Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group, all of which are believed to be involved in Iran’s ballistic missile programme.

Entities sanctioned by Britain include the General Staff of Iran’s armed forces, the naval wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Khatam-Al Anbiya Central Headquarters which Major-General Rashid commands and three Iranian defence companies.

Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron said the sanctions would send a message to Tel Aviv that it has support.

Speaking at the G7 foreign ministers meeting in Italy, he told broadcasters: “Iran’s behaviour is unacceptable and it’s right that countries come together here at the G7 and make those points, not just because of what Iran has been doing, but also as a message to Israel, that we want to play our part in having a co-ordinated strategy that deals with Iran’s aggression.”

The Tory peer also urged Iran to release the MSC Aries, a container ship associated with Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Group seized by the IRGC Navy on Saturday.

The new measures add to more than 400 sanctions already imposed on Iran, including on the IRGC.

Washington targeted 16 people and two entities in Iran that produce engines for the drones deployed in the weekend assault on Israel.

US President Joe Biden said in a statement: “Today, we are holding Iran accountable – imposing new sanctions and export controls on Iran.

“The sanctions target leaders and entities connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s Defence Ministry, and the Iranian government’s missile and drone programme that enabled this brazen assault.

“As I discussed with my fellow G7 leaders the morning after the attack, we are committed to acting collectively to increase economic pressure on Iran. And our allies and partners have or will issue additional sanctions and measures to restrict Iran’s destabilising military programmes.”

Mr Biden also pledged 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.”

Tel Aviv has vowed to respond to Iran’s weekend attack, despite calls for restraint from allies, some of whom – including the UK, US and France – helped Israel repel Tehran’s drone and missile barrage.

The onslaught followed Israel’s targeting of an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria earlier this month.

Israel and Iran have waged a shadow war for decades, but the strike over the weekend was the first direct Iranian military attack on Israeli soil.