Biden slaps MORE sanctions on Iran and its brutal Revolutionary Guard after its missile and drone strike on Israel as Netanyahu prepares to respond
- Biden said U.S. supports Israeli security and will hold Iran accountable
- However, president also made clear U.S. does not support Israel attacking Iran
- Netanyahu said Israel will defend itself and it will decide the best way to do that
President Joe Biden's administration on Thursday announced new sanctions on Iran that target unarmed aerial vehicle production after its missile and drone strike on Israel last weekend.
'Let it be clear to all those who enable or support Iran's attacks: The United States is committed to Israel's security. We are committed to the security of our personnel and partners in the region. And we will not hesitate to take all necessary action to hold you accountable,' Biden said in a statement.
His announcement came after Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country reserved the right to protect and would decide the best way how to do so. Biden has made clear the U.S. does not support an Israeli attack on Iran.
'Let it be clear to all those who enable or support Iran's attacks: The United States is committed to Israel's security,' President Joe Biden said
On Thursday, Biden's Treasury Department targeted 16 people and two entities in Iran that produce engines that power the drones used in the April 13th attack.
Treasury also sanctioned five firms involved in steel production and three subsidiaries of Iranian automaker Bahman Group - which is accused of materially supporting Iran's military and other sanctioned groups.
'Our actions make it harder and costlier at every turn for Iran to continue its destabilizing behavior,' Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.
'We will continue to deploy our sanctions authority to counter Iran with further actions in the days and weeks ahead.'
The White House warns there may be more sanctions to come.
'These are specifically targeted at their drone capability and we'll keep the option open for any more that we need,' White House spokesman John Kirby said.
Additionally, the U.K. is targeting several Iranian military organizations, individuals and entities involved in Iran´s drone and ballistic missile industries.
In addition to Treasury's sanctions, the U.S. Commerce Department is imposing new controls to restrict Iran´s access to basic commercial grade microelectronics, which apply to items manufactured outside the U.S. that are produced using U.S. technology.
Iran sent over 300 missiles and drones at Israel on Saturday night. The majority were shot down.
The president of the European Council also announced Thursday that new European sanctions would be imposed on Iran's drone and missile programs as punishment for last weekend's attack on Israel.
'It's a clear signal that we want to send,' Charles Michel said. 'We need to isolate Iran.'
The sanctions on Iran came after its April 13th attack on Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) welcomes UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron (left) during his official visit in West Jerusalem
Tehran says it launched the April 13 attack in retaliation for Israel's suspected April 1 strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.
Meanwhile, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country reserved the right to protect itself after Iran's unprecedented attack, and that it alone would decide how to do so.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock became the first Western envoys to visit Israel since the attack.
Netanyahu told the visiting ministers that Israel 'will reserve the right to protect itself,' his office said.
The pair offered 'all kinds of suggestions and advice' during a meeting, Netanyahu said. 'However, I would also like to clarify: we will make our decisions ourselves.'
For his part, Cameron said 'we're very anxious to avoid escalation and to say to our friends in Israel: It's a time to think with head as well as heart.'
Baerbock emphasised that 'the region must not slide into a situation whose outcome is completely unpredictable.'
Tehran has vowed to hit back if its arch-foe Israel responds to the Saturday attack.
The United States has made clear it won't join any attack on Iran.
'It is clear that the Israelis are making a decision to act,' Cameron told the BBC.
'We hope that they do so in a way that does as little to escalate this as possible.'
