The two countries targeted Tehran\u2019s drone-building industry<\/p>\n\n\n\n
London and Washington have blacklisted several Iranian military officials and companies in the steel, automotive and drone industries for the \u201cdestabilizing\u201d strike on Israel last Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iran had targeted Israel with a barrage of drones and missiles, in what Tehran called lawful retaliation for the April 1 bombing of its consulate in Damascus, Syria which killed seven high-ranking officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron announced the sanctions at the meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Capri, Italy. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also issued a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe sanctions announced today alongside the US demonstrate our unequivocal condemnation of Iran\u2019s attack on a sovereign state,\u201d Cameron said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re using the Treasury\u2019s economic tools to degrade and disrupt key aspects of Iran\u2019s malign activity, including its UAV program and the revenue the regime generates to support its terrorism,\u201d said Yellen. \u201cOur actions make it harder and costlier at every turn for Iran to continue its destabilizing behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UK sanctions involve seven individuals and six entities accused of enabling Iran to conduct \u201cdestabilizing regional activity, including its direct attack on Israel.\u201d London has already imposed over 400 sanctions on Tehran, including designating the IRGC in its entirety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The US Treasury\u2019s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) went after 16 individuals and two entities, including the company that makes engines for the Shahed drones that were used in Saturday\u2019s strike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UK sanctions involve the freezing of any assets the designated individuals or entities may have under London\u2019s jurisdiction, as well as a ban on traveling to Britain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
American sanctions likewise involve the blocking of property, as well as a ban on any US citizens, permanent residents, and even persons passing through the country from doing any business with the sanctioned individuals or entities. The sanctions regime allows Washington to target financial institutions and banks that \u201cengage in certain transactions or activities\u201d with the sanctioned entities and individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Israel never officially took responsibility for the strike on the consulate building, Israeli officials told the New York Times that it had been in the works for months and deliberately targeted an IRGC general. West Jerusalem has accused Iran of supporting Hamas and other militant groups that carry out attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians. <\/p>\n\n\n\n