The UK government has today announced a new package of sanctions targeting Iran’s drone and missile industries. This move, coordinated with the US and Canada, comes in response to the Iranian regime’s attack on Israel on 13 April, where over 300 drones and missiles were launched.
This follows an initial set of sanctions announced last Thursday (18 April) in reaction to Iran’s drone attacks on Israel the previous weekend.
Today, the UK is sanctioning a further 2 individuals and 4 companies which are closely involved in Iran’s network of drone production. In addition, the UK has also announced its plan to expand trade sanctions against the regime by introducing new bans on the export of components used in drone and missile production to Iran.
Foreign Secretary, David Cameron said:
The Iranian regime’s dangerous attack on Israel risked thousands of civilian casualties and wider escalation in the region. Today the UK and our partners have sent a clear message – we will hold those responsible for Iran’s destabilising behaviour to account. Alongside our partners, we will continue to tighten the net on Iran’s ability to develop and export these deadly weapons.
Today’s announcement follows the commitment set out at the G7 Foreign Ministers meeting last week to tackle Iran’s destabilising activity in the region.
From today, Seyed Mohsen Vahabzadeh Moghadam and Abbas Abdi Asjerd are subject to a UK travel ban and asset freeze. Both Moghadam and Asjerd are directors of a network of Iranian companies involved in producing drones. They also have connections to Abdollah Mehrabi, head of the IRGC Aerospace Force SSJO, a key figure in Iran’s drone industry who was designated by the UK in 2022 for his role in supplying drones to Russia.
The following companies, which make up this network, are also subject to an asset freeze:
- Bonyan Danesh Shargh
- Pishro Sanat Aseman Sharif Company
- Alvand Motorbuilding Industries Company
- Moj Gostar Aseman Parvaz Company
The UK already has over 400 sanctions imposed on Iran, including designations against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in its entirety and many of those responsible for the attack on Israel. The UK continues to expose those involved in the Iranian drones and missile production industries, having previously introduced trade measures prohibiting the export of specific components and services to Iran.
Today’s designations have been made under the new Iran sanctions regime, which came into force in December 2023 and enables the UK to target Iran’s hostile behaviour.
For more information, view the full UK Sanctions List.
Today’s sanction package is the second UK package targeting individuals involved in Iran’s attack against Israel on 13 April. The first tranche was announced by the FCDO on 18 April. Today’s plan for further trade measures will build on the existing export restrictions which were introduced last year as part of our new Iran sanctions regime. Today’s sanctions package is being announced under the new Iran (Sanctions) Regulations 2023, which came into force in December 2023. The UK’s Iran Sanctions Regime contains measures designed to target individuals and organisations. The UK also maintains an arms embargo on Iran.
