The bloc additionally adopted restrictive measures in opposition to Iran’s state-run transport firm IRISL, its director Mohammad Reza Khiabani, and three Russian transport companies accused of ferrying weapons throughout the Caspian Sea.
Brussels had already imposed sanctions on outstanding Iranian officers and entities, together with airways, accused of aiding Russia’s warfare effort.
Tehran, nonetheless, has rejected Western accusations that it has transferred missiles or drones to Moscow to be used in opposition to Kyiv.
Forward of the brand new sanctions’ announcement, Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi mentioned on Sunday the EU was utilizing the “non-existent missile pretext” to focus on its transport strains.
“There isn’t any authorized, logical or ethical foundation for such behaviour. If something, it’s going to solely compel what it ostensibly seeks to forestall,” Araghchi wrote on X.
“Freedom of navigation is a fundamental precept of the regulation of the ocean. When selectively utilized by some, such shortsightedness normally tends to boomerang.”
Iran’s economic system is already reeling from biting US sanctions following the unilateral withdrawal of Washington in 2018 from a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.
On Monday, overseas ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei mentioned Tehran would determine how one can reply.
