The US on Tuesday placed sanctions on 10 people and entities in Iran and Venezuela, linking the action to Tehran's weapons programme.
Among those sanctioned by the US Treasury was Venezuela company Empresa Aeronatica Nacional SA and its chairman Jose Jesus Urdaneta Gonzalez, who is accused of co-ordinating with the Venezuelan and Iranian armed forces on the production of drones.
"We will continue to take swift action to deprive those who enable Iran’s military-industrial complex access to the US financial system,” said John Hurley, Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.
The Treasury said the move builds on its non-proliferation designations in October and November to support the UN reimposing sanctions on Iran.
“Today’s action highlights the importance of the reimposition of sanctions and other restrictions on Iran, pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.
It come as the US is increasing pressure on Venezuela, including imposing sanctions on President Nicolas Maduro, and his wife's family members and circle. President Donald Trump's administration has also been building up its military presence in the Caribbean and has seized two oil tankers off the Venezuelan coast.
On Monday, Mr Trump said the US bombed a docking area for boats that Washington claimed to be carrying drugs from Venezuela. The comments suggested it was the first US land strike on Venezuela since Mr Trump began his pressure campaign against Mr Maduro. The US has accused the Venezuelan President of being a “narco-terrorist” with ties to criminal groups, which he denies.
