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US, UK, France, and Germany Suspend All Flights to Iran as Sanctions Intensify

Published by admin on September 11th, 2024.

US, UK, France, and Germany Suspend All Flights to Iran as Sanctions Intensify

The US, UK, France, and Germany have enacted new sanctions against Iran in response to its alleged provision of ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine.

These measures include a ban on Iran Air’s flights to the UK and Europe and asset freezes and travel restrictions on several individuals accused of aiding Russia’s military operations.

During his visit to London, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that Iranian forces had trained Russians to operate short-range ballistic missiles, which could be deployed against Ukraine within weeks. Iran has consistently denied supplying such weaponry to Russia.

At a joint press conference with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Blinken criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for increasingly depending on Iranian and North Korean support for his campaign in Ukraine, which violates multiple UN Security Council resolutions. The US has provided intelligence showing that Iranian-trained Russian personnel are preparing to use the Fath-360 ballistic missile system, which has a range of 75 miles (120km).

Lammy described the situation as “a significant and dangerous escalation.” These missiles could enhance Russia’s capability to strike Ukrainian cities near its border or in areas it controls while continuing to use longer-range missiles against deeper Ukrainian targets.

The UK Foreign Office noted that the sanctions specifically target individuals deeply involved in the missile and drone supply chains, including Brigadier General Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari, who manages international relations for Iran’s defense ministry and oversees the export of defense products. Additionally, five Russian cargo ships involved in transporting military supplies from Iran have been sanctioned.

Several organizations linked to the production of Iran’s Shahed drones, which Russia has used extensively in attacks on Ukrainian cities, are also facing sanctions.

The E3—UK, France, and Germany—stated that Iran’s missile supply poses a direct threat to European security. Iran, however, dismissed these claims as false and misleading.

While Iran has previously supplied Shahed drones to Russia, European officials view the missile sales as a notable escalation. These sanctions come as Russia makes advances in eastern Ukraine, with its forces nearing the strategic settlement of Pokrovsk.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized the slow pace of weapon deliveries and requested authorization to strike targets inside Russia with Western missiles—a request the US has so far resisted.

Blinken and Lammy also announced plans for a joint visit to Ukraine, the first of its kind in years, aiming to reinforce the strong partnership between the two countries and to directly hear from Ukrainian leaders about their needs and objectives.