us-eu-plans-new-sanctions-on-iran-after-attack-on-israel

In reaction to Iran's attack on Israel, the US and EU are drafting new restrictions on Iran's missiles and drone programmes, but the UK and European governments are opposing calls to classify the elite Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group, as per official reports. 

 

On Tuesday, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that the government was planning to impose "additional sanctions action against Iran in the coming days". 

 

The US will collaborate with partners on steps to undercut "the Iranian regime's malign and destabilising activity," Yellen said, adding that there may be "more to do" on Tehran's oil market. 

 

The majority of the EU states are in support of new sanctions, “which shall target network feed that supplies Iran-backed militant groups across the region,” she added. 

 

Although some European officials are particularly concerned, that new sanctions would only increase tensions and further destabilise the region.
  
By targeting the so-called axis of resistance, which comprises Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, Houthi rebels in Yemen, and Iraqi militias, during such a sensitive era in the Middle East could act as an escalating agent. 

 

US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan said ‘that the US will target businesses that help the IRGC as well as Iran's defence ministry.’ 

 

"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," he said. 

 

On Sunday, Iran launched a major airborne attack on Israeli territory with more than 300 hundred drones and missiles, although the majority of those drones and missiles were destroyed in the air by the Iron Dome defence system. 

 

The attack was perceived as a direct warning to Israel and the US in the region. Iranian officials maintained that they didn't intend to attack civilians rather their attacks were aimed at Israeli military installations.

 

Iran deemed the response attack as necessary as they felt their sovereignty was challenged, during the Israeli airstrike on its consulate in Damascus. 

 

As per international law and the Geneva Convention, attacks on diplomatic places are considered an attack on the sovereignty of the country.