EU expands sanctions on Iran over military support for Russia in Ukraine

The European Union on Monday announced expanded sanctions against Iran, citing its military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. The new measures include restrictions on vessels and ports allegedly used to transfer Iranian-made drones and missiles to Russia.

Ban on transactions involving key Iranian ports

The 27-nation bloc agreed to prohibit any transactions with ports associated with the transfer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or missiles from Iran to Russia. This includes facilities like Amirabad and Anzali ports. Access to these ports and services will be restricted, except for vessels in need of humanitarian assistance or responding to emergencies.

The EU also introduced a ban on the export, transfer, and sale of components from the EU to Iran that are used in the development of missiles and UAVs.

Sanctions against Iranian and Russian entities

The European Council listed one individual and four entities for sanctions, including the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and its director Mohammad Reza Khiabani.

The IRISL has been linked to the shipment of Iranian drones on behalf of the EU-designated Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy. Additionally, three Russian shipping companies—MG Flot, VTS Broker, and Arapax—were sanctioned for transporting Iranian weapons and UAV components across the Caspian Sea to support Russian forces in Ukraine.