TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson has criticized the European Union and the United Kingdom for implementing new sanctions against several Iranian individuals and entities, labeling them actions as based on false and baseless pretexts.

Esmail Baqaei, while dismissing Western claims regarding Iran's alleged sale of ballistic missiles to Russia, stated that Iran's position on the Ukraine conflict is both clear and principled. 

Baqaei emphasized that Tehran has consistently urged all nations to honor each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity and to seek diplomatic resolutions to the disputes between Russia and Ukraine.

Baqaei expressed concern that certain European nations persist in alleging Iran's military involvement in the Ukraine conflict without presenting any evidence and characterized the accusations from the European Union and the UK as fraudulent and an effort to distract public attention from the critical issue of the genocide of the Palestinian people and the warmongering actions of the Zionist regime in the West Asian region.

The spokesperson also highlighted the involvement of some European nations, particularly Britain, France, and Germany, in supplying lethal weapons that the Zionist regime has utilized in its acts of genocide and aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.

Iran’s spokesman asserted, “These European countries are complicit in the crimes against the Palestinian and Lebanese populations, noting that their support for the Zionist regime not only contravenes international law but also violates the Convention on the Prohibition of Genocide.”

Furthermore, Baqaei reaffirmed Iran's inherent right to engage in defense and military cooperation with other nations, including Russia, to fulfill its defense requirements and safeguard its national security.

On Monday, the European Union enacted new sanctions against three Iranian airlines including Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Saha Airlines; accusing them of facilitating the transfer of Iranian-manufactured missiles and drones to Russia. In addition, the bloc announced restrictive measures against seven Iranian military individuals and various entities based on similar allegations.

In a parallel move, the British government introduced new sanctions targeting several Iranian military officials and the Iranian Space Organization, citing Iran's legitimate response to the aggressive actions of the Israeli regime. These sanctions, announced on Monday, focused on high-ranking Iranian military personnel and organizations linked to Operation True Promise II.

Simultaneously, EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, and British Foreign Minister David Lammy issued a joint statement condemning Iran for its involvement in the Ukraine conflict, while also criticizing Iran's legitimate reactions to the Israeli regime's aggression. They reaffirmed their commitment to imposing sanctions on Iran.

The EU statement was released on Monday following discussions between the two officials during the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting of the European Union in Luxembourg.

Baqaei characterized the anti-Iran measures as unjustified and contrary to international law, arguing that the actions taken by the EU and the UK are inconsistent with their professed commitment to human rights.

“The Iranian government maintains that the allegations behind the sanctions are unfounded and represent an attempt to exert political influence rather than address legitimate concerns,” Baqaei concluded.