US imposes sanctions on Iran for attacks in early October

This Friday (11), the United States applied new sanctions against Iran in reprimand for the Persian country’s attack on Israel in early October. The sanctions fall on Iran’s oil and petrochemical sector. The Treasury Department’s announcement targets people, including authorities, and companies related to this sector of the Iranian economy.

The impact of the sanctions could be devastating for the region’s second largest economy, which is going through a deep economic crisis.

“This action intensifies financial pressure on Iran, limiting the regime’s ability to generate energy revenues essential to destabilize the region and attack U.S. partners and allies,” the U.S. Treasury said in a statement.

“Today’s new designations also include measures against the ‘Ghost Fleet’ that transports Iran’s illicit oil to buyers around the world,” said Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor.

As a result, the Treasury Department designated 16 entities and identified 17 vessels as blocked properties, citing their involvement in transporting Iranian petroleum products and petrochemicals in support of Iran’s National Oil Company, according to the statement from the US agency.

With the measure, the Americans seek to dissuade the Zionist group that governs Israel from undertaking a major response to their common enemy.

On the other hand, the measure highlights the asymmetric rule of Americans when their interests are at stake. Since January 8, the Israeli army has claimed 41,000 Palestinian lives and destroyed civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, including the health and education system.

Still, President Joe Biden’s government did not at any time consider applying sanctions to Israel’s economic sectors. On the contrary, the Democratic administration approved a $20 billion arms package for Middle Eastern allies in August. The package includes F-15 fighters and tank ammunition.

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