In response to Iran’s recent missile and drone attack on Israel, the administration of United States President Joe Biden has announced new sanctions on Iran. The move comes amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East and aims to increase pressure on Iran’s military programs.

President Biden stated in a Thursday announcement that the sanctions target “leaders and entities connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s Defense Ministry, and the Iranian government’s missile and drone program.” He emphasized the collective effort of the G7 leaders to enhance economic pressure on Iran and noted that allies and partners are also implementing additional sanctions and measures.

Iran’s missile and drone assault on Israel occurred in retaliation for the bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus earlier this month. The attack, which involved hundreds of missiles and drones, heightened tensions in the region already strained by Israel’s prolonged bombardment of the Gaza Strip. The conflict in Gaza has resulted in a humanitarian crisis and claimed the lives of over 33,900 Palestinians.

The Biden administration has faced calls to temper its support for Israel amidst the Gaza conflict and is now urged to restrain Israel’s response to Iran’s aggression. Despite international efforts to de-escalate the situation, Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have vowed to retaliate against Iran.

The new sanctions announced on Thursday target 16 individuals and two entities involved in the production of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including models used in the recent attack on Israel. Additionally, five companies supplying materials for steel production in Iran and three subsidiaries of an Iranian automaker accused of supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have been sanctioned.

The United Kingdom has also joined the effort to curb Iran’s military capabilities by imposing sanctions on individuals and entities associated with Iran’s UAV and ballistic missile industries.

The imposition of sanctions marks the latest development in the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, with the international community closely monitoring the situation for further escalation.