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In a move to escalate pressure on Iran for its alleged role in bolstering Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine, the European Union on Monday broadened its sanctions. These new measures target key maritime routes, vessels, and port infrastructure reportedly used to transfer drones and missiles.
On the same day, Britain joined the EU by rolling out its own set of expanded sanctions against Tehran.
Responding to concerns over Iran’s alleged military contributions, the European Union imposed a ban on the export and supply of critical parts used in the construction of missiles and drones, a move swiftly denounced by Tehran as unjust and provocative.
Additionally, the European Union barred transactions with ports that are either managed, controlled, or owned by blacklisted parties, or those implicated in the delivery of drones, missile systems, and related technologies to support Russia.
“This measure includes the access to facilities of the ports and locks, such as Amirabad and Anzali, and the provision of any services to vessels,” the EU said in a statement as the bloc’s foreign ministers met in Brussels.
The sanctions specifically target Amirabad and Anzali, two Iranian ports situated on the Caspian Sea. Despite these measures, the EU stipulated that under certain circumstances, such as those related to maritime safety, aid could still be extended to vessels in need.
The EU further intensified its sanctions by targeting Iran’s state-run shipping firm, IRISL, and its chief Mohammad Reza Khiabani, alongside three Russian shipping companies believed to be implicated in the illegal transport of arms across the Caspian Sea, marking a significant expansion of its restrictive measures.
Brussels had already imposed sanctions on prominent Iranian officials and entities, including airlines, accused of aiding Russia’s war effort.
Acting in parallel, Britain also announced fresh sanctions against Iran Monday, freezing the assets of IRISL as well as national airline Iran Air for transporting ballistic missiles and military supplies to Russia for use in Ukraine.
The British foreign ministry also said the Russian cargo ship Port Olya-3, sanctioned for carrying missiles from Iran to Russia, would not be allowed to enter any UK port.
Read also: ‘I’ve No Plans To Talk With Putin’ – British PM Backs Ukraine
The British measures build on initial steps announced by the so-called E3 powers of the UK, France and Germany in September over Tehran’s alleged supply of short-range missiles to Russia.
Iran rejects Western accusations it has transferred missiles or drones to Moscow for use against Kyiv.
Ahead of the new sanctions’ announcement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday the EU was using the “non-existent missile pretext” to target its shipping lines.
“There is no legal, logical or moral basis for such behaviour. If anything, it will only compel what it ostensibly seeks to prevent,” Araghchi wrote on X.
“Freedom of navigation is a basic principle of the law of the sea. When selectively applied by some, such shortsightedness usually tends to boomerang.”
Iran’s economy is already reeling from biting US sanctions following the unilateral withdrawal of Washington in 2018 from a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.
On Monday, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran would decide how to respond.
