Iraqchi Calls for Lifting of Sanctions on Iranian Airlines Following Zelensky's Remarks

Following a statement from the President of Ukraine regarding the shipment of missiles from Iran to Russia, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic urged the European Union to urgently rectify its "mistake" in sanctioning Iranian airlines. Abbas Araghchi claimed on Tuesday, November 6, through a message on X (formerly Twitter), that the sanctions imposed by Europe were based on this "false and baseless claim" that Iran had delivered ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine to Russia. On October 15, the European Union sanctioned three Iranian airlines, including Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Saha Airlines, for their involvement in transferring missiles, drones, and other weapons from Iran to Russia for use in the Ukraine war. Earlier, Western intelligence sources had confirmed that Iran had delivered at least 200 short-range missiles to Russia. Reuters had also previously reported, citing three sources, that Iran had delivered the missiles to Russia but had not yet sent the necessary launch platforms. Araghchi's remarks came in response to comments made last week by Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, who stated that Iran had not yet delivered the missiles to Russia, but negotiations for their shipment were ongoing. On November 29, Zelensky added in a press conference that these negotiations for missile transfer from Iran to Russia were a concern for Ukraine. This statement was echoed in Iranian media on Monday. Two senior EU diplomats, who wished to remain anonymous, told Radio Farda that the recent sanctions on Iran were based on accurate information. The office of the EU's foreign policy chief did not respond to Radio Farda's request for comment on this matter. Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani, a member of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, had previously confirmed the shipment of missiles and drones from the Islamic Republic to Russia for use in the Ukraine war, stating that Iran was bartering these weapons for Russian wheat and soybeans. Araghchi, attaching a speech by Zelensky to his Twitter message, stated that even President Zelensky himself now explicitly says that no Iranian missiles have been delivered to Russia. The Iranian Foreign Minister further stated that the European Union recently targeted ordinary Iranian and non-Iranian passengers by banning our airlines from entering Europe, calling this action "unethical and a clear mistake" that must be rectified.