Germany, France, UK impose sanctions on Iran over Russia ties
Germany, France, and Britain have imposed new sanctions on Iran under the pretext of claims it has delivered ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the Ukraine war, despite repeated denials by Tehran.
The three countries said that, despite their warnings of "new and significant measures against Iran" in case it sent missiles, "we now have confirmation that Iran has made these transfers".
The statement described the alleged transfer as a "further escalation of Iran's military support" to Russia, posing a "direct threat to European security" with the potential for Iranian missiles to reach European soil.
The three countries said they take immediate steps to cancel bilateral air services agreements with Iran.
They also plan to designate significant entities and individuals involved in Iran's ballistic missile program and the transfer of ballistic missiles and other weapons to Russia.
Additionally, they will work towards imposing sanctions on Iran Air, echoing a similar step taken by Washington.
The statement came despite Iran’s repeated denial of sending weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine.
Shortly before the joint announcement, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said on X that "spreading false and misleading news about the transfer of Iranian weapons to some countries" was "ugly propaganda" and a lie.
He charged that it aimed to conceal "the dimensions of the massive illegal arms support of the United States and some Western countries for the genocide in the Gaza Strip", where Israel is at war with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
US to impose sanctions
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also announced that the United States would impose fresh sanctions on Iran soon.
During a visit to London, he claimed that Iran has sent short-range missiles to Russia, expected to be used against Ukraine within weeks.
Blinken asserted that dozens of Russian military personnel have trained in Iran using the Fath-360 missile, which has a range of 120 kilometers.
"We've warned Iran privately that taking this step would constitute a dramatic escalation," Blinken said at a news conference in London. "Russia has now received shipments of these ballistic missiles and will likely use them within weeks in Ukraine against Ukrainians."
Iran and Russia, both hit by Western sanctions, have maintained close ties over the past years.
The two countries have traditionally had close military ties, notably with Iran receiving the Russian-made S-300 anti-missile system in 2015.
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