US Imposes Sanctions on Iran and Venezuela for Drone Trade

Washington accuses Tehran and Caracas of ‘reckless proliferation of deadly weapons’ amid spiraling tensions.

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s Empresa Aeronautica Nacional SA for allegedly aiding in the acquisition of Iranian drones, escalating tensions with both Iran and Venezuela. The sanctions target the company and its chairman, Jose Jesus Urdaneta Gonzalez, for coordinating UAV production with Iranian forces. U.S. officials accused Tehran and Caracas of collaborating on drone provision since 2006, while also announcing new sanctions against several Iranians linked to Iran’s arms industry. This follows President Trump’s threats of military action against Iran if it rebuilds its missile capabilities.