The European Union has decided to impose new sanctions on Iran over the supply of ballistic missiles to Russia, despite Tehran’s official denials. The restrictions will target key Iranian companies and individuals involved in the missile programme and military cooperation with Moscow.
According to FAZ, on 14 October 2024, EU foreign ministers agreed to impose these sanctions.
This step was a response to the EU’s repeated warnings that Iran’s military cooperation with Russia helps Moscow continue its aggression against Ukraine. According to the German DPA news agency, the sanctions are aimed at critical elements of the Iranian military-industrial complex, including companies involved in the production and supply of missiles.
Recent months have brought more and more evidence that Iran continues to support Russia in its war against Ukraine, in particular through the supply of advanced missile systems. As reported by The Times on 6 September 2024, Russia received more than 200 ballistic missiles from Iran, which has caused concern among European countries and Ukraine’s allies. Despite Tehran’s official denials, EU foreign ministers consider the transfer of missiles to be a violation of international norms and direct support for aggression.
The new sanctions will cover companies and individuals associated with Iran’s missile programme and arms supplies to Russia. Among the main targets is the state-owned airline Iran Air, which is suspected of transporting military cargo to Russia. The sanctions include an asset freeze and a ban on entry to the EU for those on the sanctions list.
European companies will also be prohibited from cooperating with the sanctioned entities, and any of their assets in the EU will be frozen. The official entry into force of the sanctions is expected after their publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Iran continues to deny any arms transfers to Russia, stating that its cooperation with Moscow concerns only strategic issues unrelated to the war. However, a growing body of evidence, including Western intelligence, suggests otherwise.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Nasser Qanaani categorically denies the supply of missiles, while Iranian President Massoud Peseshkian said that the government does not support military action in Ukraine. However, in September 2024, representatives of the Iranian parliament acknowledged that missiles had been transferred to Russia as part of barter deals.
The European Union insists on the need to stop supplying arms to Russia from any source, stressing that this only contributes to the continuation of the conflict. New sanctions should be another step in increasing pressure on Iran.
