The United States has announced sanctions against a dozen companies and individuals in Russia and Iran that were allegedly involved in selling short-range ballistic missiles for use in the war in Ukraine. Among the entities is Iran Air, which Tehran allegedly used to smuggle sensitive materials from Europe.
According to statements by the ministries of diplomacy and finance, a total of eight companies, ten people and five ships involved in the transfer of Iranian weapons to RussiaThe largest of them is the national carrier Iranthe Iran Air airline, which was to be used to import electronics and other parts used in Iran's arms production from Europe, as well as to transport electronics to Russia.
Iran Air Flight Ban
Iran Air does not operate any flights to the United States, but has so far had connections to airports in Europe. Coordinated restrictions by both countries and the EU will ban the airline from flying to Europe, US and British foreign ministers said in London on Tuesday.
In addition to Iran Air, sanctions were introduced against Iranian officials and officers involved in the transaction and training of Russian soldiers in operating Fath 360 missiles, as well as Iranian and Russian logistics companies involved in the transportation and production of missile and drone parts.
Iranian medium-range ballistic missiles Zolfaghar Basir (top) and Dezful Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images
– Iran has decided to intensify its involvement in Russia's illegal war, and United States together with our partners will continue to support Ukraine – said Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo.
Iranian missiles for Russia
On Tuesday, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed earlier media reports that in early September Iran delivered hundreds of Fath 360 ballistic missiles to Russia with a range of up to 120 km.
The US has long warned Tehranthat they consider such action to be a “dramatic escalation” of his involvement in war in UkraineAccording to the US, the two countries signed a missile sales agreement in late 2023, and Russian soldiers underwent training in the use of the weapons this summer. Blinken said he expected Russia to use the new weapon soon and that it would allow it to step up its bombing of Ukrainian cities.
Russia has a number of its own ballistic missiles, but the delivery of Iranian missiles allows Russia to use a larger part of its arsenal against targets further from the front line, while the missiles received from Iran can be used against targets at closer range, the diplomat said.
Main image source: Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images