Western nations have imposed new sanctions on Iran, accusing the country of supplying Russia with short-range missiles for use in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
The move, led by Britain, France, and Germany, was labeled as a “dangerous escalation” threatening European security.
“This act is an escalation by both Iran and Russia, and is a direct threat to European security,” the E3 powers said in a joint statement. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a visit to London, warned that the missiles could be used against Ukraine “within weeks.”
Reports indicate that Russian military personnel have been training in Iran to operate the Fath-360 missile, which has a range of 75 miles (120 kilometers).
In response to Iran’s actions, the British government announced the termination of all direct air services between the UK and Iran. Washington also targeted Iran Air with sanctions, accusing it of involvement in transporting supplies to Russia.
Iran dismissed the allegations, with foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani calling the accusations “false” and a distraction from U.S. support for Israel in its war against Hamas. Kanani stated, “Spreading false and misleading news about the transfer of Iranian weapons… is just an ugly propaganda and lie aimed at concealing the massive illegal arms support of the United States and some Western countries for the genocide in the Gaza Strip.”
The E3 powers, along with the U.S., plan to cut aviation agreements with Iran and impose sanctions on its national carrier Iran Air, emphasizing that Tehran had ignored repeated warnings regarding the weapons transfers.
