Soldiers were on duty as they witnessed the inauguration of Iran's latest warship, Deylaman, at the port of Bandar Anzali on the Caspian Sea on November 27, 2023. The European Union has imposed a ban on any dealings with ports 'owned, operated, or controlled' by sanctioned individuals and entities.
On Monday, the European Union expanded its sanctions against Iran due to its support for Russia's war in Ukraine, targeting vessels and ports involved in the transfer of drones and missiles. Tehran strongly opposed this move. The 27-nation bloc announced a prohibition on the export, transfer, supply, or sale of components used in the production of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from the EU to Iran. Additionally, it banned any transaction with ports 'owned, operated, or controlled' by sanctioned individuals and entities, or those used to supply Russia with drones, missiles, related technology, and components.
The EU stated in a release that this measure includes access to facilities of ports and docks, such as Amirabad and Anzali, and the provision of any services to vessels. Amirabad and Anzali are two Iranian ports located on the Caspian Sea. The EU clarified that assistance could still be provided to vessels in need under specific circumstances, such as for maritime safety reasons.
The bloc also implemented restrictive measures against Iran's state-run shipping company, IRISL, its director Mohammad Reza Khiabani, and three Russian shipping firms accused of transporting weapons across the Caspian Sea. Brussels had previously sanctioned prominent Iranian officials and entities, including airlines, for aiding Russia's war effort. Tehran, however, has consistently denied Western allegations that it has transferred missiles or drones to Moscow for use against Kyiv.
Prior to the announcement of the new sanctions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Sunday that the EU was using the 'nonexistent missile pretext' to target its shipping lines. He argued that there was no legal, logical, or moral basis for such actions and that it would only compel the very outcome it sought to prevent. Araghchi emphasized that 'Freedom of navigation is a basic principle of the law of the sea. When selectively applied by some, such shortsightedness usually tends to boomerang.'
Iran's economy is already struggling under the weight of US sanctions, following Washington's unilateral withdrawal in 2018 from a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. On Monday, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei announced that Tehran would determine its response.
Source link: https://www.khaleejtimes.com
