ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The European Union on Friday announced new sanctions on Iran’s defense minister and others accused of supplying drones to armed groups in the Middle East and Russia for use against Ukraine.
The European Council “adopted restrictive measures against six individuals and three entities for their role in the transfer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine; the transfer of UAVs or missiles to armed groups and entities undermining peace and security in the Middle East and the Red Sea region; or for being involved in Iran’s UAV programme,” read a press release.
Iranian Minister of Defense Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF) Esmail Qaani, and head of the Iranian Aviations Industries Organization Afshin Khaji Fard were among those sanctioned.
The three entities sanctioned are accused of procuring parts for the manufacture of drones and delivering them to armed groups. The IRGC Navy is one of the entities named, accused of delivering drones and missiles to Houthis in Yemen and Lebanese Hezbollah for use in the Middle East and Red Sea region.
The European Council said it was working with its partners to “prevent further regional escalation, notably in Lebanon and the Red Sea,” after nearly eight months of Israel’s war on Gaza.
It also called for restricting Russia’s access to battlefield technology.
