EU plans to impose sanctions on Iran for supplying ballistic missiles to Russia, media say

The European Union is preparing to introduce a sanctions package against Iran for supplying ballistic missiles to Russia.

Bloomberg said the first package of measures will apply to around a dozen individuals and legal entities, including engineering, metallurgical and aviation companies. 

The EU restrictions will be the first response to the provision of missiles, and additional lists are currently being considered, sources told journalists.

One of the sources also noted that the US separately had announced that it would impose sanctions on Iran for its recent strike on Israel and it wanted its allies to do the same.

The supply of ballistic missiles, officially confirmed by the US on 10 September, indicates a further deepening of military relations between Iran and Russia.

The UK and the US have already announced their own sanctions against Iran and Russia. Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, submitted a proposal to member states to impose sanctions on Iran over its supply of ballistic missiles to Russia.

On 23 September, European Council President Charles Michel met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in New York, where he pressed him on the issue of missile supply to Russia for its war against Ukraine.