Iran Summons British Charge d'Affaires in Protest Against New Sanctions

Iran's Foreign Ministry announced that it has summoned the British Charge d'Affaires in Tehran in protest against the sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran's shipping company. The statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry, released on Tuesday evening, November 29, described the new British sanctions against Tehran as 'illegal and unjustified.' Just a day prior, Britain, following the European Union, imposed sanctions on Iran's national airline and shipping company due to what it termed Iran's military support for Russia in the Ukraine war. London and Brussels claim that these sanctions were enacted because of Iran's role in supplying weapons to Russia, including ballistic missiles, for use in the Ukraine conflict, an accusation that Iranian officials have repeatedly denied. According to the statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the assistant director-general for Western Europe condemned London's decision during the summoning of the British Charge d'Affaires, stating that the new sanctions are 'contrary to international law and disrupt the principle of freedom of navigation and maritime trade.' Abbas Nadri also rejected the accusation of Iran's military support for Russia in the Ukraine war, emphasizing that the Islamic Republic's 'cooperation' with Russia in defense and security areas is 'not against any third party.' Nadri then warned that Iran would not leave Britain's action unanswered and that the responsibility for the consequences lies with the British government. Under the new British sanctions, the assets of Iran Air and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines will be frozen, and direct commercial flight services of Iran Air to and from Britain will also be further restricted. For over two years, Ukraine has continuously been targeted by Iranian-made Shahed suicide drones. In just the last month, Russia has launched about 1,400 Iranian drones along with hundreds of missiles and thousands of guided bombs against targets in Ukraine. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated on Monday that 'Iran's efforts to undermine global security are dangerous and unacceptable' and added, 'We once again call on Iran to stop its support for Russia's illegal war in Ukraine.'