Middle East, EU sanctions Iran for supplying weapons to Russia. “Serious consequences” –

October 14, 2024

The European Union has accused Iran‘s defense minister, high-level members of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and three airlines belonging to Iran of supplying drones, missiles and other equipment to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine and has announced that sanctions had been issued. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the new measures during a visit to Berlin, together with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. “The daily killings and deaths of innocent people we witness would not be possible without supplies and supply lines from Iran. Therefore, these sanctions against Iran are sending a very clear message. Russia’s contributions to terror and illegal war of aggression have serious consequences,” von der Leyen said. Iranian Deputy Defense Minister Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari is one of seven senior officials banned from traveling to Europe and whose assets have been frozen. The European Union said it “is involved in the development of Iran’s (drone) and missile programme,” given its high-level defense role. The assets of Iran Air, Mahan Air and Saha Airlines were also frozen because, the European Union said, their aircraft were “repeatedly used to transfer Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicles and related technologies to Russia, which they were used in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.” European foreign ministers approved the sanctions during a meeting in Luxembourg.