WANA (Oct 14) – The European Union, repeating its claim that Iran has sent missiles to Russia, has announced the sanctioning of 14 Iranian individuals and entities.

 

In a statement, the EU announced that the European Council on Monday sanctioned seven Iranian individuals and seven entities accused of sending Iranian missiles to Russia for use in the Ukraine war.

 

Previously, Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign affairs chief, had said that the proposal to sanction Iran over the alleged missile transfer to Russia, a claim denied by both Iran and Russia, would be discussed at today’s meeting of EU foreign ministers.

 

The statement, which included allegations regarding military cooperation between Iran and Russia, said: “Today (Monday), the European Council has adopted restrictive measures against seven Iranian individuals and seven entities following the transfer of Iranian missiles and drones to Russia. This decision follows the Council’s recommendation in March 2024 that if Iran provides ballistic missiles and related technologies to Russia for use in Ukraine, the EU would be ready to respond swiftly, including through significant restrictive measures.”

 

The statement, referring to the sanctioned companies, entities, and individuals, added: “These sanctions include three Iranian airlines: Saha Airlines, Mahan Air, and Iran Air, as well as two supply companies. These companies are responsible for transferring and supplying Iranian drones, parts, and related technologies through foreign supply networks to Russia for use in its aggressive war in Ukraine. Two other companies involved in manufacturing engines used in rockets and missiles have also been sanctioned.”

 

The EU also announced that the assets of the sanctioned individuals would be frozen, and they would be banned from traveling to the EU.

 

The statement, continuing its claims against Iranian officials, said: “Additionally, the European Council has decided to impose restrictive measures on Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Defense; high-ranking officials of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters, and the IRGC Aerospace Forces; as well as the managers of the EU-sanctioned companies, including Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries (HESA) and the Aerospace Industries Organization.”

 

The new EU sanctions against Iran come amid repeated Western claims regarding Iran’s missile and drone transfers to Russia for use in the Ukraine war.

 

However, these claims have been dismissed by both Iran and Russia as baseless.

 

Iran has emphasized that its stance on the Ukraine war has not changed and that, unlike the West, which is directly involved militarily in the Ukraine war, it does not support either side. Iranian officials have expressed their willingness to mediate peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow.

 

Moscow, too, has stated that, unlike Ukraine, which relies on the military industries of its NATO allies in this war, it uses its own domestic military production for advancing its “special military operation” in Ukraine.