Statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Expansion of Sanctions on Iran Following Attack on Israel

On October 1, Iran launched a ballistic missile attack against Israel.  This attack targeted Israel’s most populated city, Tel Aviv, and could have killed hundreds if not thousands of innocent people.  Fortunately, the attack was defeated and rendered ineffective thanks to the U.S. military working in partnership with Israeli Defense Forces.  Following that reckless attack, we made clear that Iran would face severe consequences.  We have since consulted with allies and partners, including a call between the President and his G7 counterparts, and today the Departments of the Treasury and State have announced new and significant measures to more effectively target Iran’s energy trade.  The new designations today also include measures against the “Ghost Fleet” that carries Iran’s illicit oil to buyers around the world. These measures will help further deny Iran financial resources used to support its missile programs and provide support for terrorist groups that threaten the United States, its allies, and partners.  

President Biden has consistently confronted Iran‘s destabilizing actions and will continue to do so.  Under the Biden-Harris administration, the United States has not lifted a single sanction on Iran and has designated over 700 individuals and entities connected to the full range of Iran’s destabilizing activities and support for terrorism across the Middle East and globally.  Today’s announcement has been coordinated with allies and partners, many of whom will announce their own measures to hold Iran accountable for its attack over the coming days.

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