UK sanctions Iran Air for aiding Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine

The UK has announced that it will take further measures against Iran in response to its transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia, to aid its illegal, unprovoked and barbaric invasion of Ukraine – a sovereign democratic state. These measures include an asset freeze imposed against Iran’s national airline, Iran Air. This follows financial sanctions imposed by the UK government and will further restrict the carrier’s direct, scheduled commercial air services to and from the UK.

The UK is also announcing sanctions against the state-owned national shipping carrier of Iran, the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), and the Russian cargo ship, PORT OLYA-3 (IMO 9481910). These measures include an asset freeze and shipping sanctions respectively, taken against both entities for their role in supporting the Iranian defence sector or transporting weapons to Russia for use on the battlefield in Ukraine.

The announcement said that: “We reiterate our call on Iran to cease its support for Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine which continues to bring devastation to the Ukrainian people. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”

The new sanctions follow the initial UK response and commitments outlined by the E3 nations (UK, France and Germany) in September, and come as Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, prepares to mark 1,000 days since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine at the G20 summit tomorrow, and as the Foreign Secretary (The Rt Hon David Lammy MP) visits New York to chair the UN Security Council (UNSC).

Mr Lammy is expected to reiterate the UK’s ironclad commitment to Ukraine, and its commitment to securing a lasting peace in the Middle East.

The initial measures taken by the UK government on 10 September in response to Iran’s transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia, included the cancellation of the UK’s bilateral air services arrangements with Iran. The Iran sanctions regime was strengthened, targeting items that are used in the production of ballistic missiles, UAVs and other weaponry.