The European Union has sanctioned Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and three other companies for transporting missiles and drones to Russia to use in its war against Ukraine.
The EU blacklisted IRISL, its director Mohammad Reza Khiabani and three Russian shipping companies, MG Flot, VTS Broker and Arapax, according to a statement published on Monday.
The Russian companies were said to have transported Iranian-made weapons and ammunition across the Caspian Sea to resupply Russian forces.
The UK also sanctioned IRISL, which is listed with 92 vessels, including two container ships, tankers, general cargo and multipurpose tonnage.
The European Council said the company’s ships had for years transported drones on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, which has previously been listed by the EU.
Tehran has denied supplying weapons for Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Hours before the measures were announced, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said such a move would be a sign that the EU’s behaviour towards his country had no legal, logical or moral basis, according to Iran’s Press TV.
In June 2020, the US State Department sanctioned IRISL for being “the preferred shipping line for Iranian proliferators and procurement agents”.
The EU measures are part of a broader package of measures aimed at Iran’s military support for Russia and armed groups in the Middle East and Red Sea region, the European Council said.
Two months ago, Brussels condemned what it said was the transfer of Iranian-made missiles to Russia.
The new measures include a ban on the export, transfer, supply or sale from the EU to Iran of components used to develop and produce missiles and drones.
