Tehran Condemns Sanctions on Iran Air by Three European Countries

In response to the sanctions imposed on Iran Air by Germany, France, and the UK, the Iranian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the actions of the European troika. Nasser Kanani, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, described the statement from these three countries, which canceled bilateral agreements for air services with the Islamic Republic and sanctioned Iran Air due to alleged 'interference in the Ukraine conflict', as 'unconventional' and labeled it 'economic terrorism' against the people of Iran. According to Mr. Kanani, this action will face a 'corresponding and proportional' response from the Islamic Republic. The German Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that the governments of France, Germany, and the UK would sanction Iran Air in condemnation of the transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia. The joint statement from the three countries stated: 'This action escalates tensions by Iran and Russia and poses a direct threat to Europe's security.' The statement further noted that the European troika would immediately take steps to revoke bilateral air service agreements with Iran. The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry reiterated Tehran's 'clear position' regarding the Ukraine issue, stating: 'As previously emphasized, any claims regarding the sale of ballistic missiles to the Russian Federation by the Islamic Republic of Iran are completely baseless and false.' Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council announced that details of new sanctions against Iran due to the transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia would be announced soon. John Kirby told reporters that 'dozens of Russian military personnel have been trained in Iran to use short-range ballistic missile systems.' He noted that 'these new sanctions will restrict Iran Air's commercial flights between cities in the UK and Europe to Iran.' Additionally, the U.S. Treasury Department published a list of individuals and companies in Russia and Germany that will be sanctioned, blocking their assets in the United States. This list includes nine individuals and five Iranian companies and entities. The UK also announced a new wave of sanctions against Tehran and Moscow, including seven sanctions against the Iranian government and three against Russia. The Wall Street Journal reported on September 7 that Iran had sent short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, and a day later, both the Associated Press and The New York Times published similar reports citing their sources. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson had previously denied allegations regarding the transfer of weapons to Russia.