BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Monday imposed sanctions on Iran’s deputy defense minister, senior members of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guards and three airlines over allegations they supplied drones, missiles and other equipment to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine.
Deputy Defense Minister Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari is one of seven senior officials now banned from traveling in Europe and whose assets have been frozen in the bloc. The EU said he is “involved in the development of Iran’s drone and missile programme,” given his high-level role in defense.
Iran Air, Mahan Air and Saha Airlines had their assets frozen. The EU said its aircraft were “repeatedly used to transfer to Russia Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicles and related technologies, which have been used in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.”
EU foreign ministers approved the sanctions at a meeting in Luxembourg.
In March, the bloc had warned that “if Iran were to transfer ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia for use against Ukraine, the EU would be ready to respond quickly, including with new and significant restrictive measures.”
EU member states, with the exception of Hungary, have supplied arms and ammunition, as well as economic and other aid to Ukraine worth around 118 billion euros ($129 billion), since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.