EU Sanctions Iran Over Alleged Missile Supplies to Russia

Facts

• The Council of the EU announced sanctions on seven Iranian individuals and seven Iranian entities on Monday, over the alleged development and transference of ballistic missiles, drones, and related technology to Russia for use against Ukraine.^[1]
• This comes as European foreign affairs ministers gathered in Luxembourg to approve a ban on EU entities and individuals from conducting business with those targeted, as well as to make them subject to an asset freeze and travel ban.^[2]
• Sanctions were aimed at Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Saha Airlines, two procurement firms and two companies involved in producing propellant to launch rockets and missiles, prominent officials, and managing directors of Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries and the Aerospace Industries Organization.^[1][3]
• Iran slammed the measures, claiming they were against international law and repeating that no ballistic missiles have been supplied to Russia. Tehran also summoned the ambassador of Hungary, whose country currently holds the presidency of the Council over sanctions.^[4][5]
• The EU decision, which was welcomed by European Commission Pres. Ursula von der Leyen, follows US intelligence presented last month suggesting that Russia had acquired ballistic missiles from Iran to use in Ukraine.^[6]
• Meanwhile, the country's flag carrier — and EU-sanctioned company — Iran Air canceled all of its flights to European destinations, including London, to avoid potential inconveniences for passengers.^[7][8]

Sources: ^[1]Consilium, ^[2]Euronews, ^[3]RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty, ^[4]Iran International, ^[5]Reuters, ^[6]Al Jazeera, ^[7]Iranwire and ^[8]PressTV.

Narratives

• Pro-Iran narrative, as provided by Tehran Times and Mehr News Agency. Europe is yet again following the US on the basis of faulty intelligence and flawed reasoning. Even if claims that Iran has provided missiles to Russia were true, these sanctions would still be deliberately antagonistic and demonstrate an absurd double standard. Given that the West is the main supplier of weapons to Israel for use in the Middle East, it's the officials who imposed these unfair penalties that should be facing scrutiny.
• Anti-Iran narrative, as provided by Voice of America and Fdd. There is more than enough evidence that Tehran has provided ballistic missiles and other weapons to support Russia's war effort in Ukraine to justify this move. There's no other way for Russia to explain possession of hundreds of Fath-360 close-range missiles, as well as Iranian-made drones. These sanctions are a welcome first step for the EU, but there's much more to be done.

Predictions