Issued by: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

The UK has announced further measures against Iran in response to its transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia, aiding its war in Ukraine. This follows the initial UK response and commitments outlined by the E3 (UK, France and Germany).

Iran’s national airline, Iran Air, is today subject to an asset freeze which will further restrict its direct, scheduled commercial air services to and from the UK, following financial sanctions imposed by the UK government.

As a state-owned airline, Iran Air, is sanctioned in response to the Government of Iran’s transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia, following commitments outlined by the E3 in September (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/iranian-transfers-of-ballistic-missiles-to-russia-uk-france-and-germany-joint-statement#:~:text=The E3 has privately and,air services agreements with Iran.).

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.

Today’s announcement comes as the Prime Minister prepares to mark 1,000 days since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine at the G20 tomorrow, and as the Foreign Secretary visits New York to chair the UN Security Council (UNSC).

The Foreign Secretary will address the UNSC and reiterate the UK’s ironclad commitment to Ukraine, and to securing a lasting peace in the Middle East.

In his meeting at the UN Security Council, Foreign Secretary David Lammy will say:

"Iran’s attempts to undermine global security are dangerous and unacceptable.

"Alongside our international partners, we were clear that any transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia would face a significant response.

"That’s why today we are sanctioning Iran Air and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, in response to Iran’s deliveries of ballistic missiles to Russia.

"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."

These measures follow initial steps taken by the UK government on 10 September (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-and-partners-respond-to-irans-transfer-of-ballistic-missiles-to-russia) in response to Iran’s transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia, which included the cancellation of the UK’s bilateral air services arrangements with Iran.

The UK also amended the Iran sanctions regime to strengthen trade sanctions on Iran, targeting items that are used in the production of ballistic missiles, UAVs and other weaponry.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said:

"This government stands firmly with the people of Ukraine and we have been clear that any support for Russia’s illegal war will not be tolerated.

"We will continue to use every lever at our disposal to put pressure on Iran to end the transfer of ballistic missiles and bring an end to this needless destruction."

Today’s sanctions follow action taken previously, alongside international partners, whereby the UK sanctioned key Iranian and Russian individuals and organisations for their role in facilitating Iran’s military support to Russia, including Russian cargo ships that transporting military supplies from Iran to Russia.

To date, the UK has sanctioned more than 450 Iranian individuals and entities, including those that seek to use malign influence regionally and internationally. The UK has also sanctioned 2,100 individuals and entities under the Russia sanctions regime, with over 1,900 designated since the start of Putin’s full-scale invasion.

The UK is clear that Iran must stop supporting Putin’s unprovoked, premeditated and barbaric attack against a sovereign democratic state, and that we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

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