TEHRAN – Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baqaei, strongly condemned the recent sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United Kingdom on Iranian shipping, dismissing them as legally baseless. 

Speaking on Tuesday, Baqaei denounced the sanctions targeting Iranian individuals and entities, including the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, as unjustified and predicated on the unsubstantiated and refuted claim that Iran is supplying ballistic missiles to Russia.

Baqaei argued these actions violate international law and breach commitments made under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). He directly refuted the EU and UK allegations of missile transfers to Russia, citing the Ukrainian President's acknowledgment that no such transfers have occurred. He declared the sanctions “unjustifiable and lacking any legal or logical foundation.”

Baqaei further asserted that the sanctions, particularly those affecting Iranian civil aviation and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, constitute a clear violation of human rights and international obligations, harming the Iranian people.

He emphasized the fundamental principles of freedom of navigation and maritime trade, holding the European Union and the United Kingdom accountable for their alleged violations of international maritime law.

These statements followed Monday's announcement by the Council of the European Union of sanctions against Iran's shipping sector and several Iranian and Russian individuals and entities. 

The UK government simultaneously declared sanctions against Iran's aviation and shipping sectors, and a Russian cargo vessel, citing support for Russia's military efforts in Ukraine. 

Iran maintains that these sanctions are unwarranted and represent an unacceptable infringement on its sovereignty.

The West has never provided evidence to support its claims of Iranian weapons deliveries to Russia for use in the Ukraine war.