The EU Council has adopted new restrictive measures against Iran over Iran's support for Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine. The sanctions include a ban on the export of components for missiles and UAVs and restrictions on ports and shipping companies, the European institution said on Monday, UNN reports.
Details
"Today, the Council (of the EU) has decided to extend the scope of EU restrictive measures due to Iran's military support for Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine, as well as armed groups and organizations in the Middle East and the Red Sea region. This additional measure targets the use of vessels and ports for the transfer of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), missiles and related technologies and components," the statement said.
As stated, today's decision "imposes a ban on the export, transfer, supply or sale from the EU to Iran of components used in the development and production of missiles and UAVs.
The EU is also introducing a transaction ban that prohibits any transaction with ports and gateways owned, operated or controlled by the listed persons and entities or used to transfer Iranian UAVs or missiles or related technology and components to Russia. "This measure includes access to port and gateway facilities, such as Amirabad and Anzali, and the provision of any services to vessels. The latter should be understood to exclude vessels in need of assistance for maritime safety, humanitarian purposes, or in connection with events that could seriously affect human health and safety or the environment," the statement said.
In addition, as indicated, the EU Council took "restrictive measures against one person and four organizations after Iran supplied missiles and drones to Russia in support of its aggressive war against Ukraine.
"These designations include the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and its director, Mohammad Reza Hiabani. IRISL is Iran's national maritime carrier, and for many years its vessels have been involved in the delivery of drones on behalf of the EU-listed Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy," the European institution said.
The EU Council has also reportedly "designated three Russian shipping companies - MG Flot, VTS Broker and Arapax - whose vessels are involved in the transportation of Iranian weapons and ammunition, including UAV components, across the Caspian Sea to supply Russian troops fighting in Ukraine.