Amid rising maritime security concerns, UK and US impose sanctions on Iranian missile transfers to Russia.
The British government has introduced new measures against Iran and Russia following Iran’s transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia, which are intended for deployment in Ukraine. These actions, coordinated with international allies, aim to increase pressure on Iran to halt its support for Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
In tandem, the United States has issued sanctions on ten individuals and six entities, located in both Iran and Russia, and identified four vessels as blocked assets.
The governments of France, Germany, and the UK joined the U.S. in condemning the transfer of Iranian missiles to Russia. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that Russia had received the ballistic missiles and would likely use them in Ukraine’s war zone in the coming weeks.
“While Russia has a substantial arsenal of ballistic missiles, obtaining missiles from Iran allows them to conserve their existing stock for longer-range targets, while using the newly acquired Iranian missiles for shorter-range operations,” Blinken noted on Tuesday.
In a joint declaration, France, Germany, and the UK stated that this transfer marked a significant escalation by both Iran and Russia, posing a direct threat to European security. “We urge Iran to immediately stop its support for Russia’s war against Ukraine and cease its development and transfer of ballistic missiles,” the statement urged.
Impact of Sanctions on Maritime and Air Transport Between Iran and Russia
The UK’s sanctions include targeting five Russian cargo ships involved in transporting military supplies from Iran to Russia. The identified vessels are:
- SKIF-V (IMO 8858087)
- OMSKIY (IMO 8889385)
- MUSA JALIL (IMO 8846814)
- BEGEY (IMO 8943210)
- BALTIYSKIY (IMO 7612448)
In addition, the UK has terminated bilateral air service agreements with Iran, restricting Iran Air’s access to UK airspace. The UK has also imposed sanctions on individuals and entities linked to Iran’s military support to Russia, as well as on Russian organizations planning to utilize Iranian weapon systems in Ukraine.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy remarked, “Iran’s provision of ballistic missiles to Russia for its illegal invasion of Ukraine marks a critical and dangerous escalation. We’ve been clear that any missile transfers by Iran will face serious repercussions.”
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh added, “We remain committed to using all available tools to pressure Iran into ceasing its support for Putin’s unlawful invasion. This is why we’ve initiated the process of halting all direct air services between the UK and Iran.”
The British government is also preparing new legislation to tighten trade sanctions against Iran, focusing on goods used in the production of ballistic missiles, drones, and other military technologies.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned ten individuals and six entities based in Iran and Russia, and identified four vessels as blocked assets.
“Iran has chosen to deepen its involvement in Russia’s unlawful war, and the U.S., alongside its allies, will continue to stand with Ukraine,” said Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo.
The sanctioned vessels, owned and operated by MG-FLOT Limited Liability Company (formerly TransMorFlot LLC), are accused of facilitating the transport of military components from Iran to Russia. The vessels include:
- BORIS KUSTODIEV
- PORT OLYA-3
- PORT OLYA-4
- KOMPOZITOR RAKHMANINOV
These Russian-flagged ships regularly transit the Caspian Sea, transporting goods between Iran and Russia. Notably, the Russian Ministry of Defense used PORT OLYA-3 to carry short-range ballistic missiles (CRBM) from Iran to Russia.
These sanctions are part of broader efforts by the U.S., UK, and their partners to diminish Iran’s support for Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
