BRUSSELS (ChatnewsTV) — The European Union announced new sanctions against Iran on Monday, broadening the scope of restrictive measures in response to Tehran’s ongoing support for Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. The measures target the use of Iranian ports and vessels for transferring weapons, including drones and missile components, to aid Russia’s war effort.
The new sanctions prohibit the export, transfer, supply, or sale of components from the EU to Iran that are used in producing missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A transaction ban has also been put in place, restricting dealings with ports and facilities that are controlled by blacklisted individuals and organizations or that have been implicated in transferring Iranian-made military technology to Russia.
“This is a targeted response to Iran’s escalatory actions and its direct involvement in aiding Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” the EU Council said in a statement. The Council emphasized that these restrictions will help limit the access to sensitive technologies used on the battlefield.
One of the primary entities affected by the new sanctions is the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), along with its director, Mohammad Reza Khiabani. The IRISL, Iran’s state-run maritime carrier, has been involved in transferring drones on behalf of the EU-listed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy.
The EU also sanctioned three Russian shipping companies—MG Flot, VTS Broker, and Arapax—for their roles in transporting Iranian-made weaponry, including UAV components, across the Caspian Sea to resupply Russian forces in Ukraine.
In a statement, the EU condemned the recent delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia, viewing it as a direct threat to European security and a significant escalation in Iran’s military support. This move follows previous declarations from the European Council, which vowed to respond swiftly to any evidence of Iranian missile transfers to Russia.
“Russia’s access to critical military technologies must be restricted as much as possible, particularly those supporting its operations in Ukraine,” the Council noted, emphasizing the importance of international coordination in applying these sanctions.
Monday’s action builds on earlier sanctions from March and May, where the EU extended the restrictive framework to cover Iranian missiles, drones, and related technologies. The sanctions are set to remain in force until at least July 2025, with annual reviews planned.
