The European Union has imposed restrictive measures against seven individuals and seven entities, including three Iranian airlines, in response to Iran’s missile and drone transfers to Russia.
These actions come after the European Council indicated in March 2024 that it would swiftly respond to any transfers of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia for use against Ukraine.
Among those sanctioned are Iranian carriers Saha Airlines, Mahan Air, and Iran Air, along with two procurement firms. The entities were involved in supplying Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and related technologies to Russia, which have been used in the ongoing war against Ukraine.
The Shahed drones, particularly the Shahed-136, are Iranian-manufactured loitering munitions that have become an essential component of Russia’s military during its invasion of Ukraine. These drones are cost-effective, long-distance UAVs created to engage ground targets with explosive warheads. They are commonly referred to as “kamikaze” or “suicide drones” due to their single-use nature, flying directly into their targets and causing significant damage upon impact.
Since their introduction by the Russian military in late 2022 to supplement its missile attacks, these drones have been utilized to attack vital infrastructure such as energy facilities, transportation networks, and residential areas. Russia produces a domestic version of the Shahed-136, known as the Geran-2.
The sanctions also target companies involved in the production of missile propellants, key to the launch of rockets and missiles.
In addition to the asset freeze and travel bans imposed on the airlines, prominent Iranian defense officials, including the Deputy Defence Minister Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari, were also sanctioned. The sanctions extend to members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and managers of listed aerospace companies.
The EU emphasized that the transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia constitutes a direct threat to European security, marking a significant escalation in Iran’s military involvement in the conflict.