Iran censures EU, UK’s double standards on arms exports

Iran has condemned the double-standard approach by Western powers in their dealings with Tehran after the European Union and Britain imposed sanctions on the country’s shipping over accusations of supplying ballistic missiles to Russia.

“The EU and the UK, without presenting any evidence, have accused Iran of supplying ballistic missiles to Russia and imposed sanctions on our airlines and shipping,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on social media platform X on Tuesday.

The comment came a day after the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, imposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and several other entities and individuals, accusing them of being involved in transfer of ballistic missiles, drones and related technologies to Russia for use in the Ukraine war.

Iran has maintained its policy of impartiality toward the conflict and categorically rejects the unfounded accusations made by the US and its European allies. 

Acting in parallel, Britain also announced fresh sanctions against Iran Monday, freezing the assets of IRISL as well as national airline Iran Air over the same allegation.

In his message on Tuesday, the Iranian foreign minister highlighted the hypocrisy inherent in the UK government's approach to international arms trade and the issue of human rights.

He drew attention to reports by the British media that the UK government is fully aware that the weapons it sends to Israel, including components for F-35 fighter jets, are being used against civilians in violations of international humanitarian law.

“At the same time, based on documents submitted to court, British media today reveals that the UK, fully aware that its arms and F-35 components are used by Israel in grave violations of international humanitarian law, continues to export these weapons,” Araghchi said.

The UK continues to export advanced weaponry to Israel to avoid any friction in its relations with the United States and the NATO military alliance, the top diplomat noted.

He said, “This contradictory behavior exposes their double standards and abdication of responsibility toward human rights.”

UK government says Israel arms ban would 'undermine US confidence'

Britain

Britain’s newly-elected Labour government has argued before court that a complete arms ban on Israel would damage London’s diplomatic relations with Washington.

“It would undermine US confidence in the UK ... and set back relations,” Defense Secretary John Healey has said, according to a written submission from the UK government’s lawyer for a hearing in the lawsuit filed by two NGOs over British arms exports to Israel.

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