Iran has imposed sanctions on several American and British individuals and entities due to their support for Israel in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
The Iranian foreign ministry announced that seven Americans are on the sanctions list, including General Bryan P. Fenton, US Special Operations Command commander, and Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, former US Navy’s Fifth Fleet commander.
The sanctions extend to British officials and entities, including Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps, British Army Strategic Command James Hockenhull commander, and the UK Royal Navy in the Red Sea. Corporations such as US firms Lockheed Martin and Chevron, alongside British companies Elbit Systems, Parker Meggitt, and Rafael UK, were also sanctioned.
The measures entail blocking accounts and transactions in Iranian financial and banking systems, freezing assets within Iran, and banning visa issuance and entry to Iran.
The effectiveness of these sanctions on the targeted individuals or entities, including their assets or interactions with Iran, is not immediately clear.
This move comes in the context of the Gaza war, which escalated following an attack by Palestinian militants on Israel on October 7, leading to significant casualties. Iran, which supports Hamas, has denied direct involvement in the attacks. The Israeli counter-offensive in Gaza has resulted in substantial loss of life, primarily among women and children, as reported by Gaza’s health ministry.
