EU Expands Russian Sanctions Criteria to Target Transport of Iranian UAVs

The EU expanded the scope of its sanctions framework on Russia to cover vessels and ports used to transfer Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicles, missiles and related components for use in the war in Ukraine, the Council of the EU announced Nov. 18. The move bars the "export, transfer, supply, or sale from the EU to Iran of components used in the development and production of missiles and UAVs," the council said, and a ban on transactions with ports and locks that are owned or controlled by sanctioned parties or used to transfer Iranian UAVs, missiles or component parts to Russia.

The council specifically mentioned that the ban covers ports in Amirabad and Anzali in Iran. However, the ban includes an exception for vessels needing assistance for safety or humanitarian purposes.

Under the new sanctions framework, the council sanctioned one person and four entities, including the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and its director, Mohammad Reza Khibani. The other sanctioned entities are Russian shipping companies MG Flot, VTS Broker and Arapax.