WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. imposed sanctions on 10 people and firms from Iran and Venezuela over allegedly contributing to Iran’s drone trade and ballistics program, which the Trump administration says threatens the U.S. and its allies in the Middle East.
The Treasury Department stated the latest measures aim to support the reimposed United Nations sanctions on Iran regarding its nuclear program, further squeezing the Islamic Republic, which has long maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful.
Among those sanctioned are a Venezuelan firm and its chairman, accused of purchasing Iranian drones, three Iranian individuals involved in procuring chemicals for ballistic missiles, and various entities linked to the Rayan Fan Group, a company previously sanctioned by the U.S.
In February, President Donald Trump reinstated a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran to impede its development of nuclear weapons. This included U.S.-led airstrikes on key Iranian enrichment sites over the summer following a week of hostility between Israel and Iran, initiated by a series of Israel attacks on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure.
This week, Trump cautioned Iran that the U.S. might escalate military operations should the nation endeavor to restore its nuclear ambitions during discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida.
Treasury's Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, John K. Hurley, stated, “Treasury is holding Iran and Venezuela accountable for their aggressive and reckless proliferation of deadly weapons around the world. We will continue to take swift action to deprive those who enable Iran’s military-industrial complex access to the U.S. financial system.”
The State Department emphasized that Iran continues to breach UN restrictions, stressing that Iran's ongoing provision of conventional weaponry to Venezuela presents a significant risk to U.S. interests in the region.
The Treasury Department stated the latest measures aim to support the reimposed United Nations sanctions on Iran regarding its nuclear program, further squeezing the Islamic Republic, which has long maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful.
Among those sanctioned are a Venezuelan firm and its chairman, accused of purchasing Iranian drones, three Iranian individuals involved in procuring chemicals for ballistic missiles, and various entities linked to the Rayan Fan Group, a company previously sanctioned by the U.S.
In February, President Donald Trump reinstated a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran to impede its development of nuclear weapons. This included U.S.-led airstrikes on key Iranian enrichment sites over the summer following a week of hostility between Israel and Iran, initiated by a series of Israel attacks on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure.
This week, Trump cautioned Iran that the U.S. might escalate military operations should the nation endeavor to restore its nuclear ambitions during discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida.
Treasury's Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, John K. Hurley, stated, “Treasury is holding Iran and Venezuela accountable for their aggressive and reckless proliferation of deadly weapons around the world. We will continue to take swift action to deprive those who enable Iran’s military-industrial complex access to the U.S. financial system.”
The State Department emphasized that Iran continues to breach UN restrictions, stressing that Iran's ongoing provision of conventional weaponry to Venezuela presents a significant risk to U.S. interests in the region.
