The European Union has imposed sanctions targeting senior Iranian officials and companies accused of supplying missiles and drones to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine.
EU foreign ministers approved sanctions on seven entities, including Iran Air, and seven individuals, such as deputy defence minister Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari and senior members of the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force, according to an EU statement.
Major European powers—Britain, France, and Germany—had already imposed similar sanctions last month in response to Iran’s alleged missile transfers to Russia, following the lead of the United States.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the EU’s unified stance but stressed that further action was necessary.
Israel also expressed approval of the measures, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz posting on X: “These sanctions send a clear message that the international community will not tolerate Iran’s dangerous actions, its support for terrorism, and its destabilisation of the region.”
The EU measures also sanctioned two additional Iranian airlines, Saha Airlines and Mahan Air, along with two procurement companies accused of supplying Iran-made UAVs and related technology to Russia. Furthermore, the sanctions targeted two firms involved in the production of propellants for rockets and missiles.
The sanctions entail asset freezes and travel bans to the European Union for those targeted.
Iran has denied Western allegations that it has transferred missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that dozens of Russian military personnel have received training in Iran on using the Fath-360 missile, which has a range of 120 kilometres (75 miles).
