Blinken Praises Warsaw's Role in Supporting Ukraine; Poland: Tehran's 'Butcher' Policy Continues Under Pezeshkian

Radek Sikorski, the Polish Foreign Minister, expressed regret on Thursday during a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Warsaw about the continuation of the Iranian regime's 'aggressive' policy towards Ukraine and Israel during the presidency of Masoud Pezeshkian. The Polish Foreign Minister emphasized that although Pezeshkian is said to be less aggressive than his predecessor, Ibrahim Raisi, known as the 'Butcher of Tehran,' 'it seems that the policy of sending missiles and drones for use against Ukraine, as well as employing similar equipment against Israel, continues.' He noted that the problem is that the Islamic Republic of Iran is currently under 'severe sanctions' and there are not many more actions that can be taken against this regime. Sikorski further stated that Poland continues to call for increased pressure on Russia, adding that existing restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range weapons should be lifted. Antony Blinken also praised Poland's support for freedom and democracy during the press conference. He mentioned that the purpose of his trip with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Ukraine was to emphasize their unwavering support for Ukraine against Russia's aggressive war. He described Poland as a 'completely essential' partner for Ukraine from the very early moments of Putin's invasion, having provided $4 billion in security assistance to Kyiv and trained Ukrainian forces alongside other NATO members. Blinken highlighted that over 80% of security and humanitarian aid to Ukraine is sent through Poland, which is hosting one million Ukrainian refugees fleeing Putin's invasion. He stated that the United States has ensured that Ukraine has access to what it needs at every stage since the beginning of Russia's invasion and will continue to adapt its policies in line with changing battlefield conditions. The replacement of energy imports from Russia to Poland was among the topics discussed during his meeting with his Polish counterpart. The increasing cooperation between the Iranian regime and Russia during Putin's two-and-a-half-year aggression against Ukraine has led the U.S. and its allies to sanction Iranian officials and entities involved in developing these relations. In a recent development, the U.S., U.K., Germany, and France announced that in response to the delivery of short-range ballistic missiles from the Islamic Republic of Iran to Russia, they would sanction Iran Air. In this context, the U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday sanctioned 20 individuals, entities, and vessels related to the delivery of weapons components and systems from Iran to Russia. London protested against the delivery of ballistic missiles to Russia, summoning the Iranian chargé d'affaires. Concerns in Kyiv about the delivery of ballistic missiles from the Islamic Republic to Russia threaten Ukraine, Europe, and the Middle East. Ukraine reported that 58 'Shahed' drones were shot down during Russian attacks. The U.S. and British foreign ministers in Kyiv stated that Putin has intensified the war by receiving missiles from the Islamic Republic. Ukraine has not ruled out severing relations with the Islamic Republic over the missile deliveries to Russia. The U.S. Treasury sanctioned 20 individuals, entities, and vessels in Iran and Russia. The U.S., U.K., France, and Germany are sanctioning Iran Air. The European Union stated that the delivery of ballistic missiles signifies a significant increase in the Islamic Republic's support for Russia's aggression against Ukraine.