The Biden administration imposed new sanctions on Iran’s petroleum industry in response to Iran’s recent missile attack on Israel. The sanctions target entities involved in transporting Iranian petroleum exports in violation of existing sanctions. The measures include freezing assets and property of 10 entities and 17 vessels. The State Department also imposed sanctions on six companies and six vessels engaged in the Iranian petroleum trade.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated that the sanctions aim to deprive Iran of financial resources supporting its missile programs and terrorist groups. The announcement was coordinated with U.S. allies, who will also take action to hold Iran accountable for its attack on Israel.
The tensions in the Middle East have escalated, with Iran firing ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for the assassination of a Hezbollah leader. The attack was the second on Israel this year, with the first in April. Israel has vowed to retaliate, raising concerns of a wider conflict in the region.
The sanctions come amid fears of a potential wider war in the Middle East, potentially involving Israel, Iran, and other countries in the region. The U.S. Navy played a role in intercepting the Iranian missiles fired at Israel, highlighting the United States’ involvement in the conflict.
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