Iran’s Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Ali Akbar Safaei, condemned the European Union and Britain for imposing new sanctions on the Islamic Republic’s shipping lines based on what he described as unfounded allegations.

On Monday, the European Commission announced sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), its director, Mohammad Reza Khiabani, and several other individuals and entities.

The measures include restrictions on vessels, ports, and docks owned, operated, or controlled by the sanctioned parties, effectively barring transactions with them.

The EU alleged that these individuals and entities were involved in transporting Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), missiles, and related components to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine.  

In a coordinated move, Britain also imposed fresh sanctions the same day, freezing the assets of IRISL and national carrier Iran Air over similar accusations.  

Safaei, who also heads the Ports and Maritime Organization, rejected the allegations in remarks to IRNA, emphasizing that IRISL is a "completely commercial and trading" entity that facilitates the transport of goods for Iran and other nations.  

He highlighted that IRISL is one of the largest shipping companies in West Asia engaged in extensive trade activities.

In the Caspian Sea region, the company focuses entirely on importing essential goods to Iran, making the EU's accusations "completely illusionary", the Iranian official indicated.

Safaei also criticized the EU for following the US’ lead in imposing sanctions on Iran based on what he called groundless claims, warning that such measures would negatively affect the livelihoods of Iranian citizens.  

Despite these sanctions, he underscored Iran’s resilience in maintaining foreign trade through maritime transport with various global partners.  

Ahead of the sanctions announcement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had denounced the measures on X, accusing the EU of using a "non-existent missile pretext" to target Iran's shipping lines.  

President Zelensky himself has confirmed that no Iranian ballistic missiles have been delivered to Russia.

Yet, the EU refuses to reverse its indiscriminate targeting of air travelers by going after Iranian airlines-a measure ostensibly motivated by our non-existent missile…

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) November 17, 2024

On his part, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also condemned the sanctions during his weekly press briefing on Monday, vowing that actions against Iran's people and national interests would not go unanswered. 

“Under the circumstances that Ukrainian officials themselves admit that the claims regarding the transfer of missiles from Iran to Russia are not true, European countries were expected to reconsider their previous claims. But it seems that some European countries are insisting on their own approach,” Baghaei said at his weekly presser.

Baghaei questioned the EU’s insistence on the allegations, noting that Ukrainian officials themselves have dismissed claims regarding the transfer of missiles from Iran to Russia.

"But it seems that some European countries are insisting on their own approach,” he indicated. 

The United States and its Western allies have accused Iran of supplying ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict—a charge Tehran has categorically denied.

Iran has maintained its neutral stance on the conflict, asserting that it is Western countries escalating the war by providing advanced weaponry to Kiev.

Read more: Iran summons UK, France, Dutch envoys over missiles to Russia claims