Brussels connected Monday sanctioned 3 Russian shipping firms and aggregate Iranian ports and carriers, accusing them of aiding Tehran’s proviso of drones and missiles for Moscow’s warfare against Ukraine.
Vessels operated by VTS Broker and Arapax, some based successful Russia’s Astrakhan region, and MG Flot, based successful the republic of Dagestan, were identified arsenic transporting Iranian military-related goods, including drone components, crossed the Caspian Sea, the EU said.
The bloc besides banned transactions with ports “owned, operated oregon controlled” by sanctioned individuals and entities, specifically targeting Iranian ports Amirabad and Anzali connected the Caspian Sea. Exceptions could beryllium made for vessels requiring assistance nether circumstances specified arsenic maritime information concerns.
The EU extended sanctions to Iran’s state-run shipping institution IRISL and its director, Mohammad Reza Khiabani. These measures physique connected anterior sanctions against Iranian entities accused of supporting Russia’s subject efforts.
In September, the EU joined the United States successful accusing Tehran of providing short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for its warfare against Ukraine, a assertion Iran denies.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized that sanctions argumentation connected Sunday, calling it unjustified and based connected a “non-existent rocket pretext.” He warned that specified actions could backfire, arguing that “freedom of navigation is simply a basal rule of the instrumentality of the sea” and accusing the EU of selective enforcement.
On Monday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, said Tehran would determine connected its effect to the EU’s expanded sanctions.
AFP contributed reporting.
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