The European Council decided to widen the scope of the EU framework for restrictive measures in view of its support to armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region.
The decision introduces a prohibition on the export, transfer, supply, or sale from the EU to Iran of components used in the development and production of missiles and UAVs.
The EU is also introducing a transaction ban prohibiting any transaction with ports and locks that are owned, operated or controlled by listed individuals and entities, or are used for the transfer of Iranian UAVs.
This measure includes the access to facilities of the ports and locks, such as Amirabad and Anzali, and the provision of any services to vessels.
These designations include the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and his director Mohammad Reza Khiabani. IRISL is Iran’s national maritime carrier, and for years its ships have been involved in shipping drones on behalf of the EU-listed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy.
The Council is also listing three Russian shipping companies – MG Flot, VTS Broker and Arapax- whose vessels are involved in transporting Iranian-made weapons and ammunition, including UAV components, across the Caspian Sea.
