UK
New UK sanctions against Iran after attack on Israel
Sanctions intended to ‘hold Iran to account’
October 14, 2024 14:17
Sanctions intended to ‘hold Iran to account’
October 14, 2024 14:17The UK government has announced a new round of sanctions targeting Iranian military figures and organisations for their continued role in destabilising political relations across the Middle East.
In response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1, the UK government said it was taking action against senior figures in the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, Iran’s Air Force and Farzanegan Propulsion Systems Design Bureau (FPSDB), an organisation linked to Iran’s ballistic and cruise missile development.
The announcement on Monday follows repeated warnings from the UK calling on Iran and its proxies to halt escalatory activity across the region and comes days after the release of a G7 joint statement condemning Iran’s direct attack against Israel and urging a cessation of hostilities.
“Following its ballistic missile attack on Israel, we are holding Iran to account and exposing those who facilitated these acts,” Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Monday.
“Alongside allies and partners, we will continue to take necessary measures to challenge Iran’s unacceptable threats and press for de-escalation across the region.”
Among the Iranian individuals sanctioned in the new package, which will subject them to a travel ban and asset freeze, are Abdolrahim Mousavi, Commander-in Chief of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army and a member of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and Mohammad-Hossein Dadras, Deputy Commander-in Chief of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army.
Also sanctioned were Houssein Pourfarzaneh, Chief Engineer of FPSDB; Mohammad Kazemi, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Chief; Hamid Vahedi, Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force; Habibollah Sayyari, Head of the Joint Staff of the Iranian Army and Deputy Chief for Coordination of the Iranian Army; and Ali-Mohammad Naini, IRGC Spokesperson.
The Iranian Space Agency, which develops space launch vehicle technologies that can be applied in the manufacture of ballistic missiles, was also subjected to an asset freeze.
The UK has already imposed 400 sanctions on Iran, including designations against the IRGC in its entirety and many of those responsible for the recent attack on Israel.
According to Monday’s Foreign Office press release, the UK will continue to work with international partners to hold Iran to account for escalating hostilities in the Middle East and its attempts to undermine global security.