Trump Signs Executive Order Delivering ‘Hard-Hitting’ Sanctions Against Iran

President Trump struck back Monday at Iran by issuing “hard-hitting” financial sanctions against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his associates.

“Today’s action follows a series of aggressive behaviors by the Iranian regime in recent weeks including shooting down a U.S. drone,” the president said in the Oval Office, calling Khamenei “responsible for the hostile conduct of the regime.”

Trump said the sanctions “will deny the supreme leader and the supreme leader’s office and those closely affiliated with him and the office access to key financial resources and support.” Speaking to reporters in the White House briefing room Monday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the sanctions “lock up literally billions of dollars more of assets.”

“Along with that action today, we are also announcing specific actions targeting those responsible for recent activities,” Mnuchin said, adding that the president has instructed him to sanction Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif “later this week.”

The Treasury Department, in a news release, said “any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates a significant financial transaction for entities designated under this Executive Order could be cut off from the U.S. financial system.”

Washington homeowner hears mysterious banging, calls 911 before police find growling bobcat at top of stairs

Breaking: Intimidation Arrest Made Outside Courthouse of Lindsay Clancy Trial Setting Stage for Potential Mistrial

Tyler Robinson to face trial in Charlie Kirk assassination as judge keeps death penalty on table

Top Democrat survives double-barreled challenge as party’s Israel divide hits home

Colin Kaepernick Reemerges and Tries to Cash in on Playing the Victim

House Democrat survives left-flank challenge as Bernie volunteer mounts insurgent bid

Trump Wants Congress to Save Hollywood from Going Bust – His Heart Might Be in The Right Place, But He’s Dead Wrong

DOJ sues Kansas school district over ‘secret gender transitions’ in first-of-its-kind lawsuit

Former president-turned-amateur artist George W. Bush debuting new paintings for 9/11 remembrance

Canadian Voters Double Down on Hostility Toward Trump, Hand Liberal Party Special Election Sweep

Republicans turn on House GOP lawmaker accused of late-night texts, lavish gifts to female staffers

Starmer steps down from Parliament to seek opportunities in ‘international affairs,’ with Greens eager to snatch his seat

Ex-Indiana deputy charged with felony for allegedly using Flock cameras to stalk girlfriend

House Democrats Panicking as Republicans Prepare to Make Them Go on the Record with Socialism Vote

Spanberger fact-checked after Trump mail-voting warning raises military ballot fears

Amid the newly announced sanctions, Fox News has confirmed that the U.S. military also carried out a cyberattack against Iran last Thursday even as the president nixed plans for airstrikes in response to the downing of an American drone.

Sources said U.S. Cyber Command launched the cyberattack targeting the Iranian intelligence and radar installations used to down the U.S. Navy drone last week.

Fox News has learned Iran shut off some of its military radar sites around the time the U.S. was poised to launch retaliatory strikes. It’s not clear if those radar sites were turned off by the cyberattack or if Iran shut them off deliberately in anticipation of this.

Yahoo! News first reported on the retaliatory cyber strike. It came as the White House and Pentagon were also considering military strikes, but Trump revealed last Friday that he called them off after learning up to 150 Iranians could be killed.