THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) On 20 July 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 (1).

(2) In its conclusions of 21 and 22 March 2024, the European Council stated that, were Iran to transfer ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia for use against Ukraine after having supplied the Russian regime with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are used in relentless attacks against the civilian population in Ukraine, the Union would be prepared to respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners, including with new and significant restrictive measures against Iran. Moreover, the European Council stated that Russia’s access to sensitive items and technologies with battlefield relevance must be restricted to the maximum extent possible, including by targeting entities in third countries enabling the circumvention of sanctions. The European Council called on the High Representative and the Commission to prepare further sanctions against Belarus, North Korea and Iran.

(3) On 13 September 2024, in the statement by the High Representative on behalf of the Union, the Union strongly condemned the recent transfer of Iranian-made ballistic missiles to Russia. The High Representative stated that that transfer was a direct threat to European security and represented a substantive material escalation from the provision of Iranian UAVs and ammunition, which Russia had used in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. The High Representative further stated that the Union would respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners, including with new and significant restrictive measures against Iran, including the designation of individuals and entities involved with Iran's ballistic missile and drone programmes, and in this regard was considering restrictive measures in Iran’s aviation sector as well.

(4) Russia is using Iranian-made UAVs in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine, which violates the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including against civilians and civilian infrastructure. The Iranian state-sponsored programme for the development and production of UAVs therefore contributes to violations of the Charter of the United Nations and of fundamental principles of international law.

(5) The Iranian missile programme, which is based on state-owned as well as private companies and benefits from domestic research capabilities, is run by the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics of Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, both of which are sanctioned by the Union.

(6) The transfer of Iranian-made UAVs and missiles and related technologies and components thereof to Russia and non-state armed groups in the Middle East and beyond is a central issue of concern. Iran has transferred Iranian-made UAVs and missiles and related technologies and components thereof to Russia, including by using airlines.

(7) Therefore, it is appropriate to designate three Iranian airlines which have repeatedly transferred to Russia Iranian-made UAVs and related technologies, which have been used in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Those designations are targeted and seek to deter specific Iranian policies and activities. The Union does not intend to impede air traffic or people-to-people contacts between the Union and Iran in general.

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