EU sanctions Iran's state shipping company for 'missile aid to Russia'

The European Union (EU) today (18th) added an Iranian individual and four shipping companies to the sanctions list for their involvement in missile and drone support to Russia.

The EU Council said in a press release that it made the decision in consideration of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Iran's military support for armed groups in the Middle East and the Red Sea.

The sanctions included Iranian state-owned shipping company IRISL and the company's CEO Mohammad Reza Kiabani.

The board explained that IRISL's vessels have been involved in drone transport for years on behalf of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy, which has been subject to EU sanctions.

Three ships - Russian shipping company MG Plot, VTS broker and Arapax - that distributed Iranian weapons and ammunition to Russian forces through the Caspian Sea were also subject to sanctions.

If added to the sanctions list, assets in the EU will be frozen and entry into 27 EU countries will be banned.