Lagatar24 Desk
London: Western powers, including Britain, France, and Germany, have introduced new sanctions against Iran for providing Russia with short-range missiles intended for use in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The move is seen as a dangerous escalation, posing a direct threat to European security.
In a joint statement, the three nations, commonly referred to as the E3 powers, announced the termination of aviation agreements with Iran and sanctions on its national airline, Iran Air. The measures come in response to Tehran’s continued defiance of warnings against supplying weapons to Russia.
“This act is an escalation by both Iran and Russia and is a direct threat to European security,” the E3 powers declared.
The United States has also weighed in, with President Joe Biden suggesting that his administration might lift restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range US-made missiles in its defense against Russia. “We’re working that out right now,” Biden told reporters.
During his visit to London, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that Iran’s Fath-360 missiles, which have a range of 120 kilometers, could be used against Ukraine “within weeks.” Blinken also revealed that Russian military personnel had trained in Iran to operate these missiles.
Shortly after Blinken’s statements, the British government announced that it had already begun terminating all direct air services between the UK and Iran. The US followed suit by sanctioning Iran Air and several individuals and companies linked to the missile supply chain.
Iran Rejects Allegations
Iran responded to the accusations with strong denial. Nasser Kanani, a spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, dismissed the claims as “false and misleading,” accusing Western nations of spreading propaganda to cover up their own arms support to Israel in its conflict with Hamas militants.
“Spreading false and misleading news about Iranian weapons transfers is ugly propaganda aimed at concealing the massive illegal arms support provided by the United States and some Western countries for the genocide in Gaza,” Kanani said.
US and UK Show Solidarity with Ukraine
As the situation in Ukraine intensifies, US Secretary of State Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy are set to travel to Kyiv in a display of solidarity. Ukrainian forces are currently facing increased Russian aerial attacks and are simultaneously mounting a cross-border offensive into Russia’s western Kursk region, which has altered the dynamics of the conflict.
Lammy emphasized that the joint trip with Blinken underscores the commitment of both nations to supporting Ukraine. The visit precedes UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s trip to the White House, where he is expected to discuss further military support for Ukraine with President Biden.
Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Britain has been a key player in pushing for more military assistance to Kyiv, including easing restrictions on the use of Western weapons on Russian territory. Recent reports suggest that the UK is waiting for US approval to provide Ukraine with long-range Storm Shadow missiles.
Last week, the UK announced the delivery of 650 new specialist missile systems to Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky raised concerns about delays in weapons shipments from Western nations.
Political Dynamics in the US and UK
The ongoing conflict has highlighted the strong “special relationship” between the US and the UK, which has persisted across partisan lines, even as Starmer’s Labour Party took over from the Conservative government in July. However, Starmer’s full alignment with President Biden’s policies could present political challenges just two months ahead of US elections.
While supporting Ukraine, Starmer has adopted a firmer stance on Israel, placing restrictions on some arms sales amid concerns that they may be used to violate international humanitarian law. His Labour government has also reversed the Conservatives’ plans to challenge the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
As the Russia-Ukraine conflict rages on, the geopolitical stakes for Western powers continue to rise, with Iran’s missile supplies to Russia adding a new dimension of complexity to the situation.
