The China Mail - UK slaps fresh sanctions on Iran after Israel attack

Tehran launched its first direct military assault on Israeli territory in retaliation for an April 1 air strike -- widely blamed on Israel -- that killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Damascus.

Iran's large-scale attack involved more than 300 drones and missiles, most of which were shot down by Israel and its allies including Washington and London, causing little damage.

The United States and Britain announced widespread sanctions on Iran last week, targeting individuals and companies involved in the Iranian drone industry.

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office said the latest sanctions would target two individuals and four companies closely involved in Iran's network of drone production.

Trade sanctions against Iran would also be expanded by introducing new bans on the export of components used in its produce of drones and missiles, it added.

"The Iranian regime's dangerous attack on Israel risked thousands of civilian casualties and wider escalation in the region," Foreign Secretary David Cameron said in a statement.

"Alongside our partners, we will continue to tighten the net on Iran's ability to develop and export these deadly weapons."

The UK already has over 400 sanctions imposed on Iran, including designations against the  IRGC in its entirety and many of those responsible for the attack on Israel.

Washington's sanctions last week targeted 16 people and two companies involved in Iran's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programme, as well as components for the drones used in the attack.

The UK government targeted seven individuals and six companies for enabling Iran to continue its "destabilising regional activity, including its direct attack on Israel."

Alongside its sanctions against Iran's UAV program, the US also targeted five companies providing parts for Iran's steel industry, and an automaker involved in providing "material support" to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The European Union imposed its own set of sanctions on Iran on Wednesday during a summit in Brussels.

U.Feng--ThChM