US plans new sanctions against Iran, hopes allies will follow in its footsteps

The government of the United States on Tuesday (April 16) said that it will impose new sanctions on Iran's missile and drone programme in the wake of its weekend attack on Israel.

Washington DC further stated it is hoping that its allies and partners will follow with parallel measures.

"These new sanctions and other measures will continue a steady drumbeat of pressure to contain and degrade Iran's military capacity and effectiveness and confront the full range of its problematic behaviours," said US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, in a statement.

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Jake Sullivan said that that sanctions would be unveiled “in the coming days” and added the US government has been co-ordinating with Group of Seven nations as well as other allies for a “comprehensive response.”

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The sanctions, which will be imposed in the days ahead,will target the missile and drone programme of Iran as well as entities which support Iran’s Defence Ministry and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Sullivan's statement.

Sullivan stated that they are expecting their allies and partners to impose similar sanctions. He said that the White House is working with US Central Command as well as the Department of Defence to improve early warning systems and air and missile defence across the Middle East.

Sullivan said he anticipates similar sanctions from allies and partners and that the White House is working with the Department of Defense and USCentral Command to bolster air and missile defence and early warning systems throughout the Middle East “to further erode the effectiveness of Iran’s missile and UAV capabilities.”

EU to work towards expanding Iran sanctions: Borrell

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that some EU member states have appealed to expand sanctions against Iran and the diplomatic service of the bloc will start working on the proposal.

He added that the sanctions seeking to stop the supply of Iranian drones to Russia will be expanded and it will also include the provision of missiles and cover deliveries to proxies in the Middle East.

Germany, France and other EU member countries have been supporting theproposal of sanctions against Iran.

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Tensions ratcheted up between Israel and Iran after the Iranian consulate in Syria was attacked earlier this month and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' two high-ranking commanders were killed in the strike.

Iran held Israel responsible for the attack but Israel has not yet claimed responsibility for it. In response, Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel. Most of the drones and missiles were thwarted by the United States. Israel has vowed to retaliate to the drone strike, however, there is no clarity over how and when it will respond.

(With inputs from agencies)