During a meeting in Luxembourg, the EU’s foreign ministers agreed on sanctions targeting seven individuals and seven entities. The sanctions are part of a broader strategy to respond to Iran’s military involvement with Russia, specifically its supply of UAVs and missile technology, which have been used in Russia’s attacks on Ukraine.
The decision follows the European Council’s warning in March 2024 that if Iran provided ballistic missiles to Russia, the EU would act swiftly with significant punitive measures.
Details of the Sanctions
The restrictive measures include asset freezes and travel bans on those sanctioned, as well as a prohibition on the provision of funds or economic resources to the listed individuals and entities. The targeted parties are linked to the development and transfer of UAVs, missiles, and related technologies to Russia. These technologies have been used not only in the war in Ukraine but also in activities that undermine security in the Middle East and the Red Sea region.
Among those sanctioned are high-ranking officials and key organisations within Iran. This includes the Deputy Defence Minister of Iran, Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari, prominent officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and managing directors of companies involved in Iran’s military production. Several Iranian airlines—Saha Airlines, Mahan Air, and Iran Air—were also sanctioned for facilitating the transportation of military supplies to Russia through transnational procurement networks.
The sanctions extend to two Iranian companies involved in the production of rocket propellants, further restricting Iran’s missile production capabilities. The companies and individuals named in the EU’s designation have been deemed critical to Iran’s support of Russia’s military operations.
Broader EU Response
The sanctions form part of the EU’s broader strategy to limit Iran’s military support to Russia. This follows earlier warnings from the EU that Iran’s provision of UAVs, missiles, and related technologies to Russia would be met with swift retaliation. In March 2024, the European Council had outlined its intent to impose new sanctions should Iran continue to supply ballistic missiles to Russia, noting the strategic threat this posed to European security.
The Council also noted that Russia’s access to sensitive military technologies must be restricted as much as possible. The current measures are designed to block Iran’s involvement in providing Russia with these capabilities. By targeting Iranian officials and companies, the EU hopes to curtail Iran’s role in bolstering Russia’s military capacity.
Implications of the Sanctions
These sanctions come amid heightened tensions between the EU and Iran, which had already been strained by Tehran’s support for Russia in its war against Ukraine. Iran has supplied Russia with UAVs and missiles, which have been used to attack civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. The recent sanctions mark a significant escalation, building on previous measures that focused on Iran’s UAV production and support for armed groups in the Middle East.
The sanctions reflect the EU’s determination to curb Iran’s ability to supply advanced military technology to Russia. The bloc has expressed deep concerns over the material threat posed by Iran’s ballistic missile transfers, which are seen as a major escalation compared to the supply of UAVs.
In addition to Iran’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict, the EU has highlighted Tehran’s broader role in undermining peace and security in other regions. The latest sanctions are designed to address Iran’s missile and drone programme, which the EU argues has contributed to instability in the Middle East and beyond.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at a 2023 weapons exhibition
Background and Future Outlook
The new round of sanctions follows the EU’s 13 September 2024 statement condemning Iran’s ballistic missile transfers to Russia. This was described as a “material escalation” in Iran’s involvement in the Ukraine war. The High Representative for the EU’s foreign policy, Josep Borrell, signalled that the bloc would respond in coordination with international partners, including with significant new sanctions.
In May 2024, the EU had already expanded its sanctions framework to cover Iran’s drone and missile programme, extending measures that target not only Iran’s support for Russia but also its involvement with armed groups in the Middle East and the Red Sea region. These sanctions are part of a larger framework aimed at restricting the flow of sensitive military technology into Russia and ensuring that Iran’s military support is curtailed.
The EU’s actions reflect a continued effort to isolate Iran diplomatically and economically, with the sanctions framework extended until at least July 2025.
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