EU ministers approve sanctions on Iran for supplying ballistic missiles to Russia – media

EU foreign ministers have agreed to impose further sanctions on Iran for its supply of ballistic missiles to Russia.

As reported by German news agency DPA, the sanction measures agreed are directed at companies, institutions and individuals involved in the manufacture and supply of lethal weapons, EU diplomats said following a resolution by foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

Other details of the decision are yet unknown. The EU's Official Journal will soon publish the individuals and firms which will face sanctions.

Earlier reports suggested that sanctions might also be imposed on state-owned airline Iran Air.

The European Union has already cautioned Iran multiple times against turning over ballistic missiles to Russia, describing the move as breaching a taboo.

Recently, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi slammed the EU's proposed sanctions. He stated that Iran has not provided Russia with ballistic missiles.

On 4 October, Bloomberg reported that the EU was ready to impose sanctions against Iran for supplying Russia with ballistic missiles, which the US had officially confirmed on 10 September.

According to official US sources, the Fath 360 short-range missiles supplied to Russia are expected to have an effective range of approximately 120 kilometres. The military says this will allow Russia to save its longer-range missiles for other missions.