The United States and the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Iran’s drone program in response to the attack on Israel. The two countries, known as Israel’s close allies, announced the ban simultaneously on Thursday.

The United States Treasury Department said in a statement that sanctions have been imposed on 16 individuals and 2 companies associated with the production of UAVs (drones) in Iran. They are associated with Iran’s production of Shahed drones. The drone was used in the April 13 attack.

The UK is also imposing sanctions on a number of military-linked companies, individuals and institutions linked to Iran’s development of drones and ballistic missiles.

Last Saturday night, Iran directly attacked Israel for the first time in history. On April 1, the attack was carried out in revenge for the death of several senior army officers in an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, the capital of Syria.

Iran used more than three hundred drones and missiles in this major attack. Israel claimed to destroy most of them in the air. The United States, United Kingdom, France and Jordan helped Israel to prevent this attack.

Israel has announced a counter attack on Iran in response to this attack. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel has the right to defend itself.

In a statement announcing the sanctions on Iran, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said, “Today, in coordination with the UK and in consultation with partners and allies, we are taking swift and decisive action to respond to Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel.”

He said that the economic instruments (tools) of the US Treasury Department are being used to disrupt and undermine important aspects of Iran’s deadly activities. He also said that the authorities will continue to work to impose more sanctions on Iran in the coming days and weeks.