France, Germany, UK Condemn Iran Over Ballistic Missiles, Target New Sanctions By Reuters

BERLIN/LONDON (Reuters) – The governments of France, Germany and Britain have condemned the transfer of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia, said they would cancel bilateral agreements on air services with Iran and work to sanction Iran Air.

The announcement came after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russia had received ballistic missiles from Iran and would likely use them in its war in Ukraine within weeks.

“This act is an escalation by both Iran and Russia and is a direct threat to European security,” the three countries said in a joint statement.

“We call on Iran to immediately end all support for Russia’s war against Ukraine and halt its ballistic missile development and transfers.”

Earlier, during a visit to Britain, Blinken said the US would also impose new sanctions, including on Iran Air. Britain said canceling bilateral air services agreements would restrict Iran Air’s ability to fly to Britain and Europe.

Britain announced sanctions targeting Russian cargo ships for what the government said was their role in transporting military supplies from Iran to Russia.

British sanctions also targeted a handful of individuals and organizations “for their role in facilitating Iran’s military support to Russia, including those involved in ballistic missile and drone supply chains.”

“We have been clear that any transfer of ballistic missiles by Iran would face a significant response,” Foreign Minister David Lammy said in a statement. “Today, together with our international partners, we call out this behavior and its attempts to undermine global security.”