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.
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 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 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 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.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- As one of Russia's key military backers, Iran has this year
transferred ballistic missiles to Russia. Since August
2022, it has also transferred hundreds of drones to Russia for
use in its war of aggression against Ukraine.
- The E3 is made up of the UK, France and Germany.
- Today's asset freeze restricts Iran Air's ability to operate
direct, scheduled commercial air services to and from the
UK.
- IRISL is Iran's state-owed national maritime carrier and has
transported military cargo and facilitated shipments on behalf of
the Iranian military.
- Iran Air and IRISL have been designated under the Iran
(Sanctions) Regulations 2023. The specification of PORT OLYA-3
has been made under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations
2019.
- The ship, PORT OLYA-3 is identified as the vessel which
delivered the shipment of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia.
- Definitions:
- Asset freeze: An asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or
any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic
resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated
person. It also prevents funds or economic resources being
provided to or for the benefit of the designated person. UK
financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory
and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever
they are in the world.
- Where shipping sanctions apply, a specified ship is
prohibited from entering a port in the UK, may be given a
movement or a port entry direction, can be detained, and will
be refused permission to register on the UK Ship Register or
have its existing registration terminated.
