The European Union Intensifies Sanctions on Iran Due to Support for the War in Ukraine

The Council of the European Union announced on Tuesday in Brussels that member countries have decided to expand current sanctions against Iran due to its role in the Ukraine war. The statement said: "The Council of Europe decided today to extend the scope of the EU's deterrent measures against Iran, considering Iran's military support for Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine." The EU sanctions against Iran focus on its drone industries and prohibit the export of components that could assist Iran in building its drones. These sanctions also impose travel restrictions on those involved in Iran's drone program and freeze their assets in Europe. Ukraine and Western countries accuse Iran of supporting Russia's military aggression against its neighbor by exporting its offensive drones to Russia, an accusation that Iran denies. The agreement by Europe to 'expand sanctions' against Iran's military program follows Iran's drone and missile attack on Israel at midnight on April 14. This incident prompted EU foreign ministers to agree on expanding sanctions, a consensus reached on April 23 in Luxembourg. According to this agreement, the new sanctions will go beyond the supply of drones from Iran to Russia and will include the provision of drones and missiles to the Islamic Republic's proxy groups in the region. Some EU countries are pushing for other members to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. However, EU officials say they have not yet found a legal basis for such action and are uncertain if all EU members would support it.