U.S. to slap new sanctions on Iran, targeting defense and missile programs
6:52 AM EDT, April 17, 2024
The United States is set to unveil a new round of sanctions against Iran in the coming days, announced National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Tuesday. These sanctions will target economic entities collaborating with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian Ministry of Defense.
These forthcoming sanctions from the USA aim to curb Iran's missile and drone production programs, with the expectation that American allies will implement similar measures. Sullivan conveyed this in a detailed statement, emphasizing the collective effort to address these concerns.
The planned sanctions specifically target entities that work with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian Ministry of Defense.
Following an air attack launched by Iran on Israel, President Joe Biden is coordinating with international partners and bipartisan congressional leadership to devise a multifaceted response, as highlighted in the statement.
Iran Responds to Israeli Actions
As a countermeasure against the bombardment of its consulate in Damascus, Syria, by Israeli forces—which resulted in the death of three elite Revolutionary Guard officers—Iran retaliated by launching a significant offensive on April 13th. This offensive included 36 cruise missiles, 110 ballistic missiles, and 185 drones aimed at Israel.
Israeli defense systems successfully intercepted and neutralized 99 percent of these incoming threats, preventing them from reaching their targets, according to Israeli defense sources.