The European Union and Britain Sanction Iranian Shipping Company

The Council of the European Union states that it is imposing additional sanctions on Iran due to the Islamic Republic's military support for Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine. The UK has also separately announced new sanctions against Iran. The EU's measures, announced on Monday, November 28, include a ban on the export of components used in the production of missiles and drones from the EU to Iran. Transactions related to ports and docks involved in the transfer of Iranian weapons to Russia have also been prohibited. The sanctions target one individual and four entities, including the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and its director, Mohammad Reza Khiyabani, for their role in transferring drones and weapons to Russia. Additionally, three Russian shipping companies named VTS Broker, MG Flot, and Arapax have been added to the sanctions list due to their involvement in transferring Iranian-made weapons to Russia. Previously, the EU condemned Iran for transferring ballistic missiles and drones to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine, which Iran denies. These actions are viewed as a direct threat to European security, and the EU has warned that new sanctions will be imposed if such support continues. In a warning ahead of the EU meeting, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister warned about the sanctions on Iranian shipping. The UK also imposed sanctions on Iran's national airline and shipping company, stating that this was in response to the transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia. Consequently, the assets of Iran Air and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) will be frozen due to their role in supplying weapons to Russia for use in the Ukraine war. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that "Iran's efforts to undermine global security are dangerous and unacceptable," adding that "we once again urge Iran to stop its support for Russia's illegal war in Ukraine." According to the new UK sanctions, direct commercial flight services of Iran Air to and from the UK will be further restricted. The new UK sanctions list also includes a Russian cargo ship named PORT OLYA-3 for its role in transferring military equipment to Russia. On October 15, the EU announced sanctions against 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. The EU's foreign policy chief expressed concern on Monday about reports of the production and supply of complete weapon systems by Iran, North Korea, and China to Russia for the war in Ukraine. Josep Borrell stated after the EU meeting in Brussels, "Russia would not be able to continue its military operations without Iran and China." Hours before the announcement of the new EU sanctions against Iran, Ismail Baghai, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, warned in a press conference that "any inappropriate action against Iran's interests will face a reciprocal response from Iran." He added that "the provocative actions of the opposing parties in sanctioning various sectors of the Iranian economy will not go unanswered." Baghai also noted that "some European countries seem to insist on continuing the confrontation, which will benefit no one." Ukraine has been continuously targeted by Shahed model suicide drones for over two years. In the last month alone, Russia launched approximately 1,400 Iranian drones, along with hundreds of missiles and thousands of guided bombs against targets in Ukraine. On the other hand, the "secret cooperation" of Russian intelligence and nuclear technology with Iran in exchange for Iran equipping Russia with Iranian ballistic missiles has increasingly worried the US and UK. Bloomberg reported on September 15 that Washington and London are concerned that Russia has provided "nuclear knowledge" to Tehran, which could bring Tehran closer to the capability of building nuclear weapons. This news was also confirmed by the British newspaper The Guardian on the same day. The Islamic Republic of Iran rejects all these accusations and concerns.