THE European Union is expanding the scope of its sanctions framework in a bid to curb Iran’s military support of Russia, the European Council said on Monday.

The decision came “in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region”, the council said in a statement.

The EU designated Iran’s national carrier, the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, and its director Mohammad Reza Khiabani, as well as Russian shipping companies MG-Flot, VTS Broker  and Arapax, which the council said operate vessels that transport Iranian weapons and ammunition across the Caspian Sea to Russia.

MG Flot and IRISL are also under US sanctions. The Iranian carrier boasts a diversified fleet of over 100 vessels, including bulkers, containerships and ro-ros, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data.

New prohibitions

The council also introduced a “prohibition on the export, transfer, supply, or sale from the EU to Iran of components used in the development and production of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles”, and a ban on transactions with “ports and locks that are owned, operated or controlled by listed individuals and entities, or are used for the transfer of Iranian UAVs or missiles or related technology and components to Russia”.

The port and locks ban “includes the access to facilities of the ports and locks, such as Amirabad and Anzali, and the provision of any services to vessels”, the council said, adding that the ban on providing services to vessels “should be understood with the exception of vessels in need of assistance for reasons of maritime safety, for humanitarian purposes, or in relation to events likely to have a serious impact on human health and safety or the environment”.