The European Union expanded a July 2023 framework of restrictive measures targeting Iran for its military support to Russia. The measures will now cover not only unmanned aerial vehciles (UAVs), but missiles as well. The Council may impose sanctions on persons and entities supplying, selling, or involved in Iran’s UAV or missile programs, particularly in support of Russia’s war against Ukraine, in support of armed groups and entities undermining peace and security in the Middle East and Red Sea, and in breach of UN Security Council Resolution 2216. Targeted individuals and entities are subject to asset freezes and travel bans. The export of components used in UAVs to Iran is also prohibited.
News Briefs
May 9, 2024
An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, Kamal Kharrazi, said that Iran will change its nuclear doctrine and build a nuclear weapon if its existence is threatened. Kharrazi added that if Israel attacks Iran’s nuclear facilities, "our deterrence will change."
-- Reuters
May 7, 2024
Iran relies on service providers based in Malaysia to sell its oil, a senior U.S. Treasury official said. The official also expressed concerns about Iran and its proxies raising funds and moving money in the region, sometimes using charities.
-- Reuters
May 7, 2024
Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are still negotiating the implementation of a March 2023 agreement to expand inspections on Iran’s nuclear program, according to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. Grossi said technical teams from both sides were discussing concrete measures to make the deal operational.
-- Associated Press
April 28, 2024
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has developed a new loitering munition resembling Russia’s ZALA Lancet drone. The new Iranian drone, whose name has not yet been publicized, may have a 30- to 60-minute flight endurance and a 40 kilometer range.
-- Tasnim News Agency
April 23, 2024
Yun Jong Ho, North Korea's minister for international trade, led a delegation to Iran, according to North Korean state media. Yun also visited Moscow earlier in April and has previously worked on North Korea's ties with Syria.
-- Reuters
April 19, 2024
Israel reportedly launched a strike in Iran targeting an air base near Isfahan. The attack was an apparent retaliation for Iran’s earlier drone and missile attack on Israel. Iranian officials said that the explosions heard near Isfahan were the result of air defenses shooting down three drones. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported no damage to any of Iran’s nuclear sites. Israel also reportedly struck radar installations in Syria on the same day.
-- Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty
April 15, 2024
Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israel’s strike on an Iranian embassy building in Syria. The United States and Israel shot down nearly all of the munitions, using fighter jets, Navy warships, Patriot batteries, and the Arrow 3 system to destroy them as they crossed through Iraqi and Jordanian airspace. Iran primarily fired Shahed-136 drones, Paveh cruise missiles, and Emad and Kheibar Shekan ballistic missiles.
-- New York Times
April 15, 2024
Iran's Revolutionary Guard seized a Portuguese-flagged container ship, the MSC Aries, for allegedly violating maritime laws and not answering calls by Iranian authorities in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's foreign ministry also released a statement emphasizing the vessel’s link to Israel. MSC, which operates the Aries, leases the vessel from Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime.
-- Reuters
March 26, 2024
The United States sanctioned six entities, one individual, and two tankers for facilitating shipments and financial transactions for the IRGC Quds Force, the Houthis, and Hizballah. Sanctioned entities included Liberia-based Hassaleh International Company, which owns Panama-flagged DAWN II (IMO 9185530), India-based KNH Shipping Private Limited, also known as KNH Global Private Limited, and the Panama-flagged ABYSS (IMO 9157765), owned by Vietnam-based Quoc Viet Marine Transport JSC and operated by India-based Melody Shipmanagement Pvt Ltd. These entities worked with the network of Houthi financier Sa’id al-Jamal to ship Iranian commodities to China and obscure their activities with forged documents and ship brokering services.
-- U.S. Department of the Treasury