Britain Sanctions Iran Air and Islamic Republic Shipping

On Monday, November 28, Britain imposed sanctions against Iran Air and the shipping company of the Iranian government. According to a statement from the British government, Iran Air and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines have been sanctioned, and their assets are subject to freezing. David Lammy, the British Foreign Secretary, stated that Iran's efforts to undermine global security are dangerous and unacceptable. He reiterated the call for the government to stop its support for Russia's illegal war in Ukraine. Just hours earlier, the European Union also sanctioned the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and its CEO, Mohammad Reza Modarres Khiyabani, in response to Iran's support for Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. The EU cited Iran's military support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine and armed groups in the Middle East and the Red Sea region as the reason for the intensified sanctions against Iran. The EU announced that the Islamic Republic Shipping Lines has been involved in transferring Iranian-made weapons and ammunition, including drone parts, via the Caspian Sea to supply equipment for the Russian army in the war against Ukraine. Consequently, four entities, including the Islamic Republic Shipping Lines and three Russian shipping companies, along with Mohammad Reza Modarres Khiyabani, were added to the new EU sanctions list. The EU has also prohibited any transactions with ports owned, managed, or controlled by these individuals or entities. This prohibition includes all ports used for transferring drones, missiles, or Iranian components and technologies to Russia. The new sanctions also restrict access to port facilities and docks such as Amirabad and Anzali. These sanctions target ships and ports involved in the transfer of drones, missiles, and related Iranian technology. Under these sanctions, the export, transfer, supply, or sale of components used in the enhancement and construction of missiles and drones from the EU to Iran has been banned. On October 15, the EU had also imposed sanctions against the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Islamic Republic of Iran, senior members of the Revolutionary Guards, and three airlines for allegedly sending drones, missiles, and other equipment to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine. Reports indicated that the names of three Iranian airlines, Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Saha, as well as Seyyed Hamzeh Gholandari, the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Islamic Republic of Iran, were among those sanctioned. The EU stated that the aircraft of these companies have been repeatedly used to transfer Iranian-made drones and related technologies to Russia, which has employed them in its 'aggressive war' against Ukraine. The sanctions against Iran Air in the EU raise the question of whether they harm the Iranian people or the Iranian government. Part of the program on the last page of America sanctions 400 individuals and entities for supporting Russia's aggression against Ukraine. European and Israeli officials welcomed the EU's sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran.