EU to impose sanctions on Iranian entities over Iran-Russia ballistic missile transfers

EU sanctions to target 14 individuals and entities, set for approval on Monday

The European Union is set to impose sanctions on individuals and organisations involved in transferring ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia, Reuters reported EU diplomats and a senior official as saying on Friday.

The sanctions, expected to be approved on Monday by EU foreign ministers, will target 14 individuals and entities, including airlines and companies linked to the transfers.

Although specific names have not been disclosed, previous reports suggest that Iran Air may be among those affected by the sanctions. The move comes amid growing concerns over Iran’s role in supplying military aid to Russia.

Last month, the United States, citing intelligence it said had been shared with allies, said Russia had received ballistic missiles from Iran for its war in Ukraine.

Washington immediately imposed sanctions on ships and companies it said were involved in weapons transfers.

The EU then said it had received ”credible information” on the transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia and foreign policy chief Josep Borrell proposed ”a substantial set of decisive and targeted measures” against Iran in response.

Monday’s package will be the first results of that proposal. As the 27-country EU requires unanimity to agree on sanctions, such decisions usually take some time.

Following the US allegations, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said his government had not transferred any weapons to Russia since it took office in August.

The high-ranking EU official said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had told Borrell that Iran had supplied ”short- range rockets” to Russia that could fly up to 250 kilometers.

The Iranian minister insisted the rockets were not ballistic and did not specify when they had been transferred, according to the EU official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

EU officials also said discussions were continuing among EU countries over whether to list Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards military force as a terrorist organisation.

A decision by a German court has provided a legal basis for such a listing but EU members were still debating whether it was politically wise to make the designation, officials said.