Iran's attack on Israel last weekend and its financing of militant groups in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq threatens stability in the Middle East and could lead to economic consequences, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Tuesday, UNN reports citing Reuters.
Speaking at a press conference, Yellen called the attack on Israel by Iran and its supporters unprecedented, saying that the US Treasury would use its sanctions authority and work with allies to "continue to curb the Iranian regime's harmful and destabilizing activities.
According to Yellen, since the start of the Biden administration in January 2021, the Treasury has imposed sanctions on more than 500 individuals and entities associated with terrorism and terrorist financing by the Iranian regime and its proxies.
The U.S. Treasury Secretary noted that the restrictions were imposed, in particular, because of Iran's drone and missile programs, as well as the financing of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Iraqi paramilitary groups.
"Iran's actions threaten the stability of the region and could lead to economic consequences," Yellen said, without disclosing details.
Recall
Iran launched about 300 drones, ballistic and cruise missiles toward Israel on Saturday evening. Israel said it intercepted about 99 percent of the projectiles and drones launched at their country.
Iran claims that carried out attack in response to an alleged Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1, which killed senior Revolutionary Guard commanders, and said they had the right to self-defense.