On November 18, 2024, the European Union announced an expansion of sanctions against the clerical regime in Iran, targeting its military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and backing of armed groups in the Middle East and Red Sea region. The EU’s decision introduces new restrictions on key Iranian entities and individuals, aiming to disrupt the regime’s role in destabilizing regional and global security.
In a statement released the same day, the EU identified the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and its director, Mohammad Reza Khiabani, as central players in Iran’s supply of military equipment to Russia. The Council stated: “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 sanctions also extend to three Russian shipping companies—MG Flot, VTS Broker, and Arapax—for their involvement in transporting Iranian-made weapons and ammunition across the Caspian Sea to resupply Russian forces fighting in Ukraine. The EU specified that these companies have facilitated “the transfer of Iranian UAVs, missiles, and related technologies and components” to support Russia’s war efforts.
.@A_Jafarzadeh: We’re revealing for the first time a number of IRGC front companies running the regime’s drone program. These companies have civilian names but are in service of the IRGC. They are doing what the IRGC can’t do itself#UAV #JCPOA https://t.co/zM8HzwyH2B
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) December 15, 2021
The EU imposed additional measures prohibiting any transactions with Iranian ports and locks controlled by listed entities or used for transferring military equipment. This includes restricting access to facilities such as Amirabad and Anzali ports. The Council noted: “The prohibition includes access to facilities of the ports and locks and the provision of any services to vessels,” while making exceptions for humanitarian or safety purposes.
This latest action follows the EU’s broader framework, expanded earlier this year, to address Iran’s involvement in supplying drones and missiles for both the Ukrainian battlefield and armed groups across the Middle East and Red Sea region. The Council emphasized its continued commitment to countering Iran’s military aggression, stating that Russia’s access to sensitive battlefield technologies “must be restricted to the maximum extent possible.”
#NCRI press conf: #Iran #IRGC has 3 shipping firms sending arms to #MiddleEast states#BlacklistIRGC pic.twitter.com/uSh3dwyFR3
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) March 7, 2017
This move by the EU follows a September 2024 statement condemning the transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia, which the Council called “a direct threat to European security” and a significant escalation from previous arms transfers.
The clerical regime continues to prioritize its warmongering agenda and support for militant proxies over the welfare of its own people. As international pressure mounts, Tehran’s defiance only deepens its isolation. The EU’s latest measures highlight a growing recognition of Tehran’s destabilizing role on the global stage. The Council’s statement signals that the regime’s attempts to evade accountability for its actions through intimidation and deceit are increasingly falling flat.
