On Monday, November 18, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Iran Air and the Iranian regime’s shipping company, the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line Group.
According to the British government’s statement, Iran Air and IRISL have been sanctioned, and their assets are subject to being frozen.
David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary, stated that the Iranian regime’s efforts to undermine global security are dangerous and unacceptable. He reiterated the UK’s call for the regime to cease its support for Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.
Hours earlier, the European Union had also sanctioned the IRISL and its CEO, Mohammadreza Modarres Khiabani, in response to the regime’s support for Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.
The European Union cited the Iranian regime’s military support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and armed groups and organizations in the Middle East and the Red Sea region as the reason for escalating sanctions against Tehran.
The European Union announced that the Iranian regime’s shipping company has been involved in transporting Iranian-made weapons and ammunition, including drone components, via the Caspian Sea to supply the Russian army in its war against Ukraine.
As a result, four entities, including the Iranian regime’s shipping company, three Russian shipping companies, and Mohammadreza Modarres Khiabani, the CEO of the Iranian regime’s shipping company, were added to the European Union’s latest sanctions list.
The European Union also banned any transactions with ports owned, managed, or controlled by these individuals or entities. This prohibition extends to all ports used for transporting drones, missiles, or Iranian components and technology to Russia.
The new sanctions also prohibit access to port facilities and waterways such as Amirabad and Anzali.
Under these sanctions, the export, transfer, supply, or sale of components used to upgrade and manufacture missiles and drones from the European Union to Iran has been prohibited.
On Monday, October 14, the European Union had also imposed sanctions on Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister, senior members of the IRGC, and three airline companies for allegedly sending drones, missiles, and other equipment to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine.
According to reports, the three sanctioned airlines included Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Saha, along with Seyyed Hamzeh Ghalandari, Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister.
The European Union stated that these airlines’ planes had repeatedly been used to transport Iranian-made drones and related technologies to Russia, which Russia utilized in its war against Ukraine.
