EU ready for new sanctions against Iran: ballistic missiles, drones, and the aviation sector in the crosshairs

Brussels – The EU is ready to align itself with sanctions on Tehran already adopted by the US, the UK, France, and Germany in response to the transfer of Iranian-made ballistic missiles to Russia. A transfer that is a “direct threat to European security,” a “substantive material escalation” from the supply of drones and munitions to Moscow. That is why the EU High Representative, Josep Borrell, announced that Brussels will respond with “new and significant restrictive measures.” 

The European Union will include in the already well-stocked sanctions regime against Iran for its support to Russia new individuals and entities involved in Iran’s ballistic missile and drone programs, and “is considering” restrictive measures in the aviation sector as well. The EU diplomacy chief said the EU would respond “swiftly and in coordination with international partners.” Washington and London have already acted: the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on September 10 announced sanctions against six Iranian drone and ballistic missile companies and ten of their executives and employees. Iranian airline Iran Air also came under the Western axe: Washington revealed that “international partners will announce measures that will not allow Iran Air to operate on their territory in the future.” Also, London announced that it will “end all direct air links” with Iran. 

On May 14 — after the massive drone launch from Tehran into Israel — the EU Council decided to expand the scope of the sanctions regime due to Iran’s military support not only to Russia but also to armed groups in the Middle East and the Red Sea region. It can now target individuals and entities that supply, sell, or are in any way involved in the transfer of Iranian missiles and drones. The sanctions comprise a ban on individuals entering EU territory, a freeze on assets held in EU countries, and a ban on providing funds to listed entities. 

According to Borrell, the supply of ballistic missiles to the Kremlin “comes in the midst of Russia’s most recent attacks against Ukraine, including with ballistic missiles and drones, which prove its clear determination to continue its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine and its people, notably targeting critical energy infrastructure, trying to cause the highest possible loss of civilian life and inflict large-scale devastation.” It will now be up to the 27 member states to give the green light to the sanctions put on the table by the High Representative.