President Trump’s Treasury Department slams sanctions on Iran and Venezuela’s deadly weapons trade, shielding U.S. homeland security from foreign threats just one day after his stark warning to Tehran.
Story Highlights
- U.S. sanctions target 10 individuals and entities in Iran and Venezuela linked to weapons proliferation, including drone sales and missile chemicals.
- Trump threatens to “knock the hell” out of Iran over ballistic missiles or nuclear revival, backing Israel’s strikes if needed.
- Aggressive actions include seizing Venezuelan oil tankers, blockading sanctioned vessels, and a CIA strike on a drug facility.
- Treasury vows to cut off proliferators from U.S. financial system, protecting Western Hemisphere interests.
Sanctions Target Weapons Networks
The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on December 30, 2025, against 10 individuals and entities in Iran and Venezuela tied to weapons trade. Empresa Aeronautica Nacional, a Venezuelan company, faces penalties for facilitating millions in Iranian drone sales to Caracas.
Three Iran-based individuals procured chemicals for ballistic missiles, per the Office of Foreign Assets Control. These measures block access to U.S. financial systems and assets.
U.S. sanctions Iranian, Venezuelan groups tied to weapons trade https://t.co/oleXJ9Mm7j
— CNBC (@CNBC) December 30, 2025
Trump’s Direct Warning to Iran
President Donald Trump warned Iran on December 29, 2025, threatening to “knock the hell” out of the regime if it rebuilds ballistic missile reserves or nuclear weapons. This followed U.S. and Israeli strikes earlier in 2025 that damaged Iranian military sites.
Ahead of his Mar-a-Lago meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump pledged support for Israeli action against Iranian rearmament. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed a “harsh and regrettable” response on X.
Treasury stated Iran’s arms supply to Venezuela threatens U.S. interests in the Western Hemisphere, including the homeland. The department committed to using all tools to halt this trade, upholding American security priorities.
Escalating Pressure on Venezuela
Trump’s administration intensified actions against Venezuela, designating its government a foreign terrorist organization. U.S. forces seized a sanctioned oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast this month, which carried Iranian and Venezuelan oil, as announced by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Trump ordered a full blockade of sanctioned oil tankers and targeted drug boats. At the Netanyahu meeting, Trump confirmed a CIA attack on a Venezuelan drug loading facility earlier in December.
These steps counter Venezuela’s role in enabling Iranian weapons and illicit activities, protecting U.S. borders from drugs and threats.
Ongoing Campaign Against Proliferators
Treasury Under Secretary John K. Hurley declared the sanctions hold Iran and Venezuela accountable for reckless weapons spread worldwide. The U.S. cut off enablers of Iran’s military-industrial complex from financial access.
These actions follow October and November sanctions on Iranian weapons networks. President Trump’s firm stance restores deterrence, prioritizing American safety over globalist appeasement.
For conservatives weary of weak borders and foreign aggression under past regimes, these moves signal a return to strength. They safeguard families, uphold sovereignty, and reject deals that empower adversaries.
