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On November 18, 2024, the European Union announced an expansion of sanctions against the clerical regime in Iran, targeting its military support for Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine and backing of armed groups in the Middle East and Red Sea region. The EU\u2019s decision introduces new restrictions on key Iranian entities and individuals, aiming to disrupt the regime\u2019s role in destabilizing regional and global security.<\/p>\n
In a statement released<\/a> 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\u2019s supply of military equipment to Russia. The Council stated: \u201cIRISL is Iran’s national maritime carrier, and for years its ships have been involved in shipping drones on behalf of the EU-listed Iran\u2019s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n The sanctions also extend to three Russian shipping companies\u2014MG Flot, VTS Broker, and Arapax\u2014for 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 \u201cthe transfer of Iranian UAVs, missiles, and related technologies and components\u201d to support Russia\u2019s war efforts.<\/p>\n .@A_Jafarzadeh<\/a>: We\u2019re revealing for the first time a number of IRGC front companies running the regime\u2019s drone program. These companies have civilian names but are in service of the IRGC. They are doing what the IRGC can\u2019t do itself#UAV<\/a> #JCPOA<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/zM8HzwyH2B<\/a><\/p>\n — NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) December 15, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n