New E.U. and British Sanctions on Iran

In mid-December, the European Union and Britain separately imposed punitive sanctions on dozens of Iranian security and government officials as well as state media employees for the brutal crackdown on nationwide protests ignited on September 16. The group of 28 nations, including some of the world’s largest economies, also imposed sanctions on manufacturers that supplied drones to Russia for its war in Ukraine.

“The Iranian regime is increasingly isolated in the face of deafening calls for change from its own people and is striking sordid deals with Putin in a desperate attempt to survive,” British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in a press release. The moves reflected increasing international outrage over Tehran’s domestic and foreign policy.

On December 12, the European Union designated 20 Iranians plus one state media organization for human rights violations. The list included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders, a Friday prayer imam, the deputy interior minister, and a member of the Assembly of Experts. It also sanctioned eight other organizations and people, including an IRGC and air force commander, for manufacturing and exporting drones to Russia for its war in Ukraine.

On December 13, Britain sanctioned three people and one drone component manufacturer; two of the individuals and the organization were also on the E.U. list. The sanctions mean that the assets and property of people or entities in any of the 28 countries are frozen and visa bans. The E.U. measures also forbid European citizens and companies from providing funds to the listed people and entities.

In response to the E.U. sanctions, the Islamic Republic designated 10 Europeans and five media, engineering, and energy organizations on December 12 for “deliberate actions in support of terrorism” and “spreading hatred” that had caused “riots” in Iran. Eight were German military officers and politicians. The foreign ministry said that two of the sanctioned companies had produced chemical weapons for Iraq during its war with the Islamic Republic in the 1980s.

Iran also retaliated against British sanctions on December 12, the day before Britain officially released its designations list. Iran designated 13 British defense and government officials, two military bases, and two global advocacy organizations, also for “support of terrorism” and causing “riots” in Iran. The sanctions barred the cited Europeans from entering the Islamic Republic and froze any assets and property of the designated people or entities in Iran. The following are E.U., British, and Iranian statements and designation lists.

 

Council of the European Union Statement

The Council approved today new conclusions on Iran, focusing in particular on: the unacceptable repression of the ongoing protests and the human rights situation, Iran’s military cooperation with Russia, including delivery of drones deployed by Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), as well as regional security.

Furthermore, the Council today added 20 individuals and one entity to the list of those subject to restrictive measures in the context of the existing Iran human rights sanctions regime. This is in view of their role in the violent response to the recent demonstrations in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini.

Lastly, the Council today also added four individuals and four entities to the list of those subject to restrictive measures for undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. This is in view of their role in the development and delivery of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) used by Russia in its war against Ukraine. The Council has also signalled its intention to impose restrictive measures against a further entity on the same grounds.

EU restrictive measures comprise an asset freeze, a travel ban to the EU and a prohibition to make funds or economic resources available to those listed.

Today’s designations follow the Council’s earlier actions on 17 October, 20 October and 14 November.

The relevant legal acts, including the names of the individuals and entities listed today, have been published in the Official Journal of the EU.

 

E.U. Designations

The European Union designated the following entity and individuals for the ongoing crackdown:

• Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB)
• Peyman Jebelli, director of IRIB
• Mohsen Bormahani, deputy director of IRIB
• Ali Rezvani, reporter at IRIB
• Ameneh Sadat Zabihpour, reporter at IRIB and head of IRIB’s foreign Persian-language group
• Seyyed Ahmad Khatami, Imam and member of the Assembly of Experts
• Seyyed Majid Mirahmadi, deputy interior minister
• Sayyed Abdolrahim Mousavi, commander of the army
• Morteza Jokar, deputy head of the Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Sistan and Baluchistan province
• Majid Souri, deputy commander of the IRGC in Lorestan province
• Mohsen Karimi, commander of the IRGC in Markazi province
• Alireza Heydarnia, commander of the IRGC in Alborz province
• Amanollah Garshasbi, deputy commander of the IRGC in Sistan and Baluchistan province
• Bahman Reyhani, deputy commander of the IRGC in Kermanshah province
• Habib Shahsavari, commander of the IRGC Shohada unit in West Azerbaijan province
• Mohammad Abdollahpour, commander of the IRGC-Qods Force in Gilan province
• Siavash Moslemi, commander of the IRGC Karbala unit in Mazandaran province
• Ahmad Zulqadr, commander of the IRGC Seyyed al Shohada unit in Tehran province
• Morteza Kashkouli, commander of the IRGC Hazrat Abulfazl unit in Lorestan province
• Isa Bayat, commander of the 364^th IRGC brigade in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan province
• Mohammad Taghi, commander of the northwest Iran regional IRGC headquarters

The European Union designated the following individuals and entities for Iran’s supply of drones to Russia:

• Yousef Aboutalebi, managing director of Oje Parvas Mado Nafar Company
• Ali Reza Balali, counselor to Amir Ali Hajizadeh, chief of the IRGC Aerospace Force
• Abdollah Mehrabi, head of the IRGC Aerospace Force Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization
• Hamid Vahedi, commander of the air force
• Design and Manufacturing of Aircraft Engines
• IRGC Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization
• Oje Parvas Mado Nafar Company
• Paravar Pars Company

 

British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Statement

The UK has today (13 December) announced a new package of 16 sanctions targeting senior Russian commanders for their involvement in the Russian military, and Iranian businessmen and officials involved in the production and/or supply of drones to the Kremlin.

The announcement comes as Russia steps up its campaign of terror against Ukraine, striking at crucial energy infrastructure and plunging its people into the dark and freezing cold of winter.

Twelve senior commanders of Russian military forces, including units implicated in attacks on Ukrainian cities, have been sanctioned. Major General Robert Baranov, identified by a Bellingcat investigation as the commander of a unit responsible for programming and targeting Russian cruise missiles, is among those targeted.

More than 6,000 Ukrainian civilians are estimated to have died since the beginning of Russia’s invasion, primarily as a result of Russian missile and artillery strikes. Intentionally directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects is a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law – those responsible must be held to account.

Iranian-manufactured drones have played a central role in these evil attacks on civilians. On 9 December, the US released information showing Iran has become one of Russia’s top military backers, sending hundreds of drones to Russia in violation of its international legal obligations, which have been used to attack Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and kill civilians.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

“The UK stands with Ukraine. Russian forces’ calculated attacks on cities and innocent civilians in Ukraine will not go unanswered.

“The Iranian regime is increasingly isolated in the face of deafening calls for change from its own people and is striking sordid deals with Putin in a desperate attempt to survive.

“Putin wants to break Ukraine’s spirit, but he will not succeed. Ukraine will win, and Ukraine will rebuild.”

The Iranian regime’s brutal repression of its own people and the threat it poses in the Middle East have left Iran isolated internationally and in desperate need of support from Putin. Today’s sanctions include individuals facilitating the production of these drones, including the co-owner and Managing Director of MADO, the company responsible for manufacturing engines for the drones which have been used by Russia in Ukraine.

UK sanctions are taking the wheels off the Russian war machine and forcing its military to compromise on vital weaponry and equipment. Defence Intelligence reports suggest that Russian armed forces are struggling to replenish their missile reserves, while they are increasingly forced to rely on second rate drones supplied by Iran to keep up their inhumane bombardments of the Ukrainian people.

Background

Profiles of designations, organised by geography

All individuals are subject to an asset freeze and travel ban. All entities are subject to an asset freeze.

Russia

• Colonel General Sergey Viktorovich Karakaev, Commander, Strategic Missile Forces
• Colonel General Mikhail Yuryevich Teplinskiy, Commander, Airborne Forces
• Lieutenant General Mikhail Mikhaylovich Matveevsky, Commander, Missile Troops and Artillery
• Lieutenant General Nikolay Mikhaylovich Parshin, Head of the Main Missile-Artillery Directorate
• Lieutenant General Alexander Semyonovich Sanchik, Commander, 35th Combined Arms Army
• Lieutenant General Mikhail Stepanovich Zusko, Chief of Staff Russian Forces Group (West)
• Major General Alexey Vyacheslavovich Avdeev, Commander, 3rd Motorised Rifle Division
• Major General Robert Baranov, Director, Main Computation Centre of the General Staff
• Major General Aleksandr Vladimirovich Novikov, Head of the Department for Construction and Management of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• Major General Oleg Yurievich Tsokov, Commander,144th Motorised Rifle Division
• Colonel Georgy Ivanovich Shuvaev, Head of Missile Troops and Artillery of the 1st Tank Army
• Colonel Evgeny Nikolaevich Zhuravlev, Commander, 4th Tank Division

Iran

• MADO, Oje Parvaz Mado Nafar Company
• Yousef Aboutalebi, Director at MADO
• Abdollah Mehrabi, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Brig Gen – Chief of IRGC ASF Research and Sufficiency Jihad Organisation (SSJO)
• Professor Afshin Khajeh Fard, Head of Iran Aviation Industries Organisation

Definitions of types of sanctions

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. 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. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person.

Travel ban

A travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, providing the individual is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971.

Transport sanctions

Recently introduced powers make it a criminal offence for any Russian aircraft to fly or land in the UK and give the government powers to remove aircraft belonging to designated Russian individuals and entities from the UK aircraft register, even if the sanctioned individual is not on board. Russian ships are also banned from UK ports.

Previous UK support

In the face of these attacks, the UK continues to stand alongside Ukraine and provide support where it is most needed.

• the Prime Minister announced during a recent visit to Kyiv a new £50 million package of air defence support, comprising of 125 anti-aircraft guns and technology to counter deadly Iranian-supplied drones
• elsewhere, UK aid has ensured vital Ukrainian facilities continue to have access to power. £7 million has been supplied for the provision of over 850 generators, while the Foreign Secretary recently announced £5 million has been committed to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, with a further £5 million to follow. This latest funding will provide specialised energy equipment to keep critical national infrastructure up and running – a priority request from the Government of Ukraine

 

Iranian Foreign Ministry Statement on E.U. Sanctions

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in accordance with the decisions of the relevant authorities and within the framework of relevant rules and sanctions mechanisms, and as a reciprocal action, subjects the following institutions and individuals under the jurisdiction of the European Union, to sanctions, due to their deliberate actions in support of terrorism and terrorist groups; promotion and incitement of terrorism, violence; and spreading hatred, which has caused riots, violence and terrorist operations as well as violation of human rights against the Iranian nation.

The above sanctions include the ban in issuing visas and the impossibility of the above mentioned persons᾿ entry into the Islamic Republic of Iran and the confiscation of their property and assets in the territory under the jurisdiction of the Islamic Republic of Iran. All institutions of the Islamic Republic of Iran, according to the decisions of the relevant authorities, will take the necessary measures to implement these sanctions.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, reminding the commitments of the European Union and the respective governments of the above individuals and institutions, considers any support, facilitation and failure to take action against these persons and institutions, to be a violation of the international obligations of the European Union and its Member States and holds them responsible and accountable.  

 

Iranian Foreign Ministry Statement on British Sanctions

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in accordance with the decisions of the relevant authorities and within the framework of relevant rules and sanctions mechanisms, subjects the following institutions and individuals under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom, to sanctions, due to their deliberate actions in support of terrorism and terrorist groups; promotion and incitement of terrorism, violence; and spreading hatred, which has caused riots, violence and terrorist operations as well as violation of human rights against the Iranian nation.

The above sanctions include the ban in issuing visas and the impossibility of the above mentioned persons᾿ entry into the Islamic Republic of Iran and the confiscation of their property and assets in the territory under the jurisdiction of the Islamic Republic of Iran. All institutions of the Islamic Republic of Iran, according to the decisions of the relevant authorities, will take the necessary measures to implement these sanctions.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, reminding the commitments of the United Kingdom, considers any support, facilitation and failure to take action against these persons and institutions, to be a violation of the international obligations of the United Kingdom and holds them responsible and accountable.  

 

Iranian Designations

Iran designated the following individuals and entities in retaliation to E.U. sanctions:

• Michael Trautermann, liaison German air force commander
• Holger Kunkel, commander of the German forces in Iraq
• Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, former German defense minister
• Rita Sussmuth, former president of the German parliament
• Norbert Lammert, former president of the German parliament
• Claudia Roth, former vice president of the German parliament
• Volker Beck, former German parliament member
• Hannah Neumann, German politician and European parliament member
• Bernard Kouchner, French politician and former foreign minister
• Eric David, alleged lawyer for Mujahedeen-e Khalq (MEK), an exiled opposition group
• Radio Farda, a U.S.-backed radio station based in Prague
• Radio Zamaneh, a media organization run by Iranian exiles in Amsterdam
• Charlie Hebdo Magazine, a satirical French magazine that published a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammad in 2006 that offended many Muslims
• Water Engineering Trading GmbH, a German company that allegedly supplied chemical weapon precursor materials to Iraq during its war with Iran in the 1980s
• Gidlemeister Projekta GmbH, a German company that allegedly supplied chemical weapon precursor materials to Iraq during its war with Iran in the 1980s

Iran designated the following individuals and entities in retaliation to British sanctions:

• Antony David Radakin, chief of the defense staff
• Martin Elliot Sampson, defense senior advisor to the Middle East and North Africa
• Steve Kilvington, assistant head of capability strategy at the defense ministry
• Kenneth Douglas McCallum, MI5 director-general
• Robert Jenrick, immigration minister
• Phil Husband, HM Prison, Durham governor
• John Francis Spellar, vice-chair of Labor Friends of Israel at the House of Commons
• David Alton, parliament member
• Matthew Offord, parliament member
• David Jones, parliament member
• Wayne David, parliament member
• Mark Williams, former parliament member
• Geoffrey Bindman, British Institute of Human Rights chair
• Royal Air Force Menwith Hill, a British intelligence base near Yorkshire
• UK Naval Support Facility at Mina Salman port in Bahrain, a British base for maritime security efforts in the Gulf
• British Committee for Iran Freedom, an organization with members from British parliament that favors a “firm approach” toward the Islamic Republic
• Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, an organization led by former British Prime Minister Blair that advises governments and has been critical of Iran

 

Photo Credit: British Government Website