WorldECR | Britain and its allies impose comprehensive sanctions on Iran

The British government, in coordination with the United States and other international partners, announced “significant new measures” against Iran and Russia in response to Iran’s alleged transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine.

The British Foreign Office announced the news on September 10, coinciding with the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said for the first time in London that Russia had obtained new and deadly ballistic missiles from Iran for use in Ukraine.

The British Foreign Office said the latest actions against Iran and Russia came after repeated warnings from Britain and its allies, who urged Tehran to stop transferring these deadly weapons to Russia.

The UK, along with France and Germany, has currently cancelled its bilateral air services arrangements with Iran, effectively limiting the ability of Iran’s national carrier, Iran Air, to operate in the UK and Europe.

British Transport Secretary Louise Hague said: “We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to put pressure on Iran to end its support for Putin’s illegal aggression.”

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned Iran’s actions, saying “Iran’s provision of ballistic missiles to Russia, facilitating Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, is a significant and dangerous escalation. We have made clear that any transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran will face a severe response.”

Defense Secretary John Healey expressed similar views, emphasizing the threat posed by Iran’s military support for Russia. He said: “By transferring ballistic missiles to Russia, Iran is actively supporting Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine. Ballistic missiles are highly dangerous weapons that can threaten innocent lives.”

In addition to these measures, the UK and the US announced joint sanctions against key Iranian and Russian individuals and organizations involved in the ballistic missile and drone supply chain. Those sanctioned include Brigadier General Saeed Hamzeh Qalandari, Brigadier General Ali Jafarabadi and Majid Mousavi – who are suspected of being involved in Iran’s missile development and export. Several Iranian companies and free trade zones, as well as Russian military organizations, have also become targets of sanctions.

The Russian entities sanctioned include the 924th State UAV Center, the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Military Transport Aviation Command, as well as five Russian cargo ships involved in transporting military supplies from Iran to Russia.

The U.S. Treasury Department commented that it took action under counterterrorism authorities, Executive Order 13224, as amended, counterproliferation of weapons of mass destruction authorities, Executive Order 13382, and Executive Order 14024, targeting Russia’s harmful foreign activities.

A British Foreign Office press release explained that the British government will also introduce new legislation aimed at strengthening trade sanctions against Iran, particularly targeting items used in the production of ballistic missiles and other weapons.

The UK, which currently has more than 400 sanctions in place against Iranian individuals and entities and more than 2,000 against Russia, stressed that it is committed to holding Iran and Russia accountable for their actions.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said, “Iran is one of Russia’s main military supporters and has transferred hundreds of drones to Russia since August 2022 for use in its war of aggression against Ukraine.”

Lamy said: “Iran must end its support for Putin’s unprovoked, premeditated and brutal attack on a sovereign democracy. Britain will stand with Ukraine until the end.”

Speaking at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London, Blinken said Iran was taking these actions “at a time when we’ve heard from the new Iranian president that they desperately need and want some economic relief, the burden on their country is very heavy, and they’re seeking that relief. This runs counter to what they want – improved relations with other countries and relief from the sanctions that they’ve been subject to for their behavior.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it “strongly condemns the extraordinary statement made by the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany to revoke the bilateral agreement on the provision of air services to the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasir Kanani said: “The actions of these three European countries are in line with the hostile policies and economic terrorism of Western countries against the Iranian people, and the Islamic Republic of Iran will also take corresponding and proportionate measures.”