Iran has slapped sanctions on dozens of Americans, including Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, head of US Central Command (CENTCOM) Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., and former National Security Adviser Robert C. O'Brien. Iran's Foreign Ministry explained that a total of 51 US citizens, involved in the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, were targeted by the sanctions.
"The individuals on the list of sanctions participated in the decision-making, planning, organisation, financing, support, as well as in the leadership or implementation of the terrorist act [operation against Soleimani]", the ministry said.
Iran has repeatedly vowed to avenge Soleimani's death and hold all the people responsible for his killing accountable. Tehran insists that the attack against its general, the leader of the IRGC's foreign branch, called Quds Force, was an act of state terrorism.
Soleimani was killed during a visit to Iraq where he arrived as part of a secret diplomatic mission. His car was struck by US drones under the orders of President Donald Trump, who claimed the Quds Force leader was planning attacks against American interests in the region.
Tehran retaliated several days later by firing a barrage of missiles at two Iraqi military bases hosting American troops. No US servicemen were killed in the attack, but numerous soldiers received injuries.