Iran Sanctions US, UK Officials, Entities For Supporting Israel

Iran imposed sanctions on several American and British individuals and entities on Thursday for their backing of Israel’s war against the Palestinian group Hamas.

The Islamic Republic, Israel’s regional arch-foe, announced the retaliatory measures in a statement from its foreign ministry.

The foreign ministry stated, “The sanctions targeted seven Americans, including General Bryan P. Fenton, commander of the US special operations command, and Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, a former commander of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet”.

UK officials and organizations targeted include Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps, commander of the British Army strategic command James Hockenhull, and the UK Royal Navy in the Red Sea.

Penalties were also levied against United States companies Lockheed Martin and Chevron, as well as British counterparts Elbit Systems, Parker Meggitt, and Rafael UK.

The ministry claimed, “The sanctions include blocking of accounts and transactions in the Iranian financial and banking systems, blocking of assets within the jurisdiction of the Islamic Republic of Iran as well as prohibitions of visa issuance and entry to the Iranian territory”.

It is unclear how these sanctions will affect individuals or businesses, as well as their assets or dealings with Iran.

The Gaza war began after Palestinian Hamas operatives launched an attack on Israel on October 7, killing around 1,170 people, mostly civilians.

Iran supports Hamas but has denied any direct involvement in the attack.

Israel’s military offensive against Hamas has killed at least 34,568 individuals in Gaza, mostly women and children.

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