- EU sanctions target Iranian officials and businesses
- Penalties linked to Iran’s drone, missile transfer
- Iran denies weapon sales to Russia
The European Union imposed sanctions on over a dozen Iranian individuals and organizations, including the country’s deputy defense minister and national airline, for allegedly transferring missiles and drones to Russia.
On Monday, the European Council announced that seven individuals and as many businesses will face an asset freeze and travel restriction due to their involvement in supplying weapons and equipment to Moscow for use in the war against Ukraine.
Iranian Deputy Defence Minister Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari, senior members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, and three Iranian airlines, including Iran Air, have all been targeted.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, welcomed the sanctions.
Von der Leyen stated in a post on X that the Iranian regime’s support for Russia’s aggression on Ukraine is reprehensible and must be stopped.
I therefore welcome the adoption of our sanctions against individuals and entities in response to Iran’s transfer of drones and missiles to Russia.” “More is needed.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also praised the penalties, writing on X that those “who support aggression must share responsibility and pay the price.”
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Esmail Baghaei, spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, disputed on Tuesday that Tehran sold missiles to Russia and slammed the penalties as violating international law.
Some European countries, including the United Kingdom, have falsely alleged that Iran has been militarily involved in this crisis, which Baghaei categorically denies.
The fresh penalties follow the United States‘ announcement last month that it had evidence showing Iran had supplied Russia with ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian denied that Tehran had sent any weaponry to Russia since his administration assumed power in August, admitting that it was “possible that a delivery took place in the past.”
Aside from Hungary, EU member countries have provided Ukraine with military and economic help totaling approximately 118 billion euros ($129 billion) since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
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