The US imposes sanctions on 10 entities and individuals over Iran’s drone sales to Venezuela and procurement of missile-related chemicals.
WASHINGTON: The United States has announced new sanctions targeting the trade of Iranian drones with Venezuela.
The US Treasury Department designated 10 individuals and entities based in Venezuela and Iran on Tuesday.
The action targets issues including purchases of Iranian-designed drones and efforts to procure chemicals used for ballistic missiles.
“Treasury is holding Iran and Venezuela accountable for their aggressive and reckless proliferation of deadly weapons around the world,” said Treasury Under Secretary John Hurley.
He added that the US would continue action to deprive enablers of Iran’s military-industrial complex access to the US financial system.
The sanctions coincide with increased US pressure on Venezuela’s leftist President Nicolas Maduro.
President Donald Trump said Monday the US destroyed a docking area for alleged Venezuelan drug boats.
The Treasury stated its latest action builds on nonproliferation efforts supporting reimposed UN sanctions on Iran.
It said Iran’s drone and missile programs threaten US personnel in the Middle East and destabilise Red Sea shipping.
Venezuelan company Empresa Aeronautica Nacional SA and its chair were sanctioned for acquiring Iranian-designed drones.
“Iran’s ongoing provision of conventional weapons to Caracas is a threat to US interests in our region,” said State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott.
He stated the Venezuelan firm contributed to the sale of millions of dollars’ worth of combat drones.
Pigott added the designations demonstrate Iran is actively proliferating combat drones and procuring missile-related items in violation of UN restrictions.
