US and Allies Plan New Sanctions on Iran Following Attack on Israel

After Iran directly attacked Israel on Saturday night, the US and its allies are preparing new sanctions aimed at deterring Israel from escalating the situation as Israel’s war cabinet convenes for a third time on Wednesday to determine its response. Despite no casualties and minimal damage due to effective air defenses, the strike heightens concerns of spreading violence from the ongoing Gaza conflict, risking an open conflict between Iran and Israel.

Israel’s military chief of staff, Herzi Halevi, warned that the attack, which included over 300 missiles and drones, would not go unanswered, although he did not provide specifics. The US and European countries, seeking to prevent severe retaliation from Israel, are set to toughen sanctions against Iran, particularly targeting its missile and drone programs.

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Tuesday announced forthcoming sanctions, while Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said earlier that the US would work with allies on measures aimed at disrupting Iran’s destabilizing activities and terrorist financing. The European Union, led by foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, is also considering expanding sanctions, which could include measures against Iranian proxies in the Middle East.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has actively sought broader international support to sanction Iran’s missile program and label its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. These diplomatic efforts are in response to Iran’s attack, which was a retaliation for an airstrike on its embassy in Damascus, attributed to Israel.