Iran Summons British Chargé d'Affaires in Response to New Sanctions Against IRGC

In response to the new sanctions imposed by the UK against the Islamic Republic, Iran's Foreign Ministry announced that it has summoned the British Chargé d'Affaires in Tehran. On Monday, September 3, the British government added three individuals and one entity from the Islamic Republic of Iran to its sanctions list, accusing them of destabilizing activities against Israel, the UK, and other countries. According to the UK government statement, Hamid Fazeli, Abdol-Fattah Ahvazian, and Behnam Shahriari are the three individuals whose assets have been frozen and who are subject to travel bans to the UK as a result of the new sanctions. Additionally, the new UK sanctions will block any potential assets of the IRGC's Quds Force Unit 700 in the UK. One day after this event, Iran's Foreign Ministry reacted by summoning the British Chargé d'Affaires in Tehran. According to a statement released by official Iranian news agencies, the head of the Western Europe Department at Iran's Foreign Ministry stated that these sanctions are 'contrary' to the statements of British officials regarding their 'desire for cooperation and engagement.' This official also labeled Britain's support for Israel as a factor of instability and insecurity in the region. The Iranian Foreign Ministry's statement added that the British Chargé d'Affaires emphasized during this meeting that he would convey the Islamic Republic's objections to his country. Earlier, in Ordibehesht (May), the UK had added six new names related to individuals and organizations in the Islamic Republic's defense sector to its sanctions list. The UK, along with the United States, also targeted several Iranian military organizations, individuals, and entities involved in Iran's drone and ballistic missile industries with sanctions on April 19 of this year.