The Trump administration just hit Iran and Venezuela with a fresh round of major sanctions, specifically targeting companies heavily involved in the production and sale of military drones, as per The Hill. This move signals a serious escalation in the ongoing pressure campaign against both nations, focusing directly on their ability to create and proliferate advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs.
This news comes right after a chilling warning from President Trump regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The president isn’t mincing words about the risks involved. During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he made it extremely clear what the consequences would be if Iran restarts its nuclear program.
“Now, I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are we’re going to have to knock them down. We’ll knock them down. We’ll knock the hell out of them. But hopefully that’s not happening,” President Trump said.
This threat underscores the administration’s commitment to curbing what it views as destabilizing behavior in the region
The U.S. Treasury Department designated 10 different entities and individuals across both nations in this latest action. The goal is to target the entire supply chain, from manufacturing to assembly. One of the most interesting targets is Venezuela-based Empresa Aeronáutica Nacional SA. This company, according to the Treasury Department, is overseeing the assembly of unmanned aerial vehicles in a direct connection with Iran-based Qods Aviation Industries. Seeing Venezuela tied so closely to Iran’s advanced drone program proves just how intertwined these adversarial networks are.
The sanctions don’t stop there, though. They also target three individuals based in Iran who are reportedly connected to efforts to acquire chemicals necessary for ballistic missile production. Additionally, the U.S. is sanctioning two companies and three people in Iran who have direct connections to the country’s wider UAV and aerospace program.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott issued a statement emphasizing the necessity of these actions. He stressed that they highlight the importance of re-imposing sanctions and other restrictions on Iran, especially those previously established by the UN Security Council resolutions. “The entities and individuals designated today demonstrate Iran is actively proliferating its combat UAVs and continues to procure missile-related items in violation of UN restrictions,” Piggott said.
The administration views Iran’s drone proliferation as a clear violation, and this action is a direct response to that ongoing breach. The administration has been ratcheting up pressure on Venezuela for some time now. That includes sanctions imposed on President Nicolás Maduro himself, as well as ordering military strikes on a facility that President Trump claimed was acting as a “dock” for alleged drug boats.
By hitting both nations simultaneously and specifically targeting their aerospace capabilities, the U.S. is signaling that its comprehensive strategy to limit their military influence is not slowing down. If you’re tracking global defense tech, this move shows that the U.S. is prioritizing counter-drone measures and supply chain disruption over almost everything else right now.
Published: Dec 30, 2025 08:00 pm