On Monday, October 14, European Union foreign ministers gathered to discuss the escalating conflicts in the Middle East, as well as new measures to support Ukraine against Russia, and they approved new sanctions against the Iranian regime.
The EU sanctions target companies and individuals involved in Iran’s ballistic missile program, who have transferred these missiles and other weapons to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine.
During this meeting, the EU decided to impose new sanctions on 14 individuals and entities connected to the Iranian regime, including Iran Air.
The EU has added three Iranian airlines—Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Saha Airlines—along with two logistics companies to its sanctions list.
These companies have been identified as responsible for transporting and supplying Iranian-made drones and related parts and technologies to Russia through their logistics suppliers, with these weapons being used in the aggression against Ukraine.
Two companies that manufacture rocket and missile launchers have also been added to the EU sanctions list.
The European Council also sanctioned Seyed Hamzeh Qalandari, Iran’s regime’s Deputy Defense Minister, as well as commanders of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Khatam-al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters, and the IRGC Aerospace Force, along with the CEOs of the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA) and the Iran Aerospace Industries Organization.
The list of individuals sanctioned by the European Union includes: Behnam Shahriyari, Ali Shadmani, Ali Jafarabadi, Mehdi Gogardchian, Reza Khosravi Moghadam, Seyed Mirahmad Noshin, and Seyed Hamzeh Qalandari.
These individuals will be subject to asset freezes and travel bans to the European Union. Additionally, the provision of financial and economic resources, either directly or indirectly, for the use of these individuals or their affiliated entities is also prohibited.
Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Saha Airlines, as well as Basamad Electronic Pouya Company, Teyf Tadbir Engineering Company, Iran Alumina, and Shahid Haj Ali Moheb Research Center.
The European Council had warned earlier this April that if the transfer of drones, ballistic missiles, and related technologies to Russia continued, Iran would face punitive actions, including sanctions.
Iran’s regime has repeatedly denied the accusations of sending ballistic missiles to Russia, particularly since the start of the Ukraine war and their alleged use against Ukraine.
The European Union is struggling to find a way to control and halt the escalating violence in the Middle East and to prevent it from turning into a full-scale regional war.
