The sanctions, announced Monday, claim Iran's involvement in supplying ballistic missiles to Russia, a charge Tehran vehemently denies.

Baghaei reiterated that Iran’s position on the conflict in Ukraine is "clear and principled," emphasizing that Tehran has consistently urged all nations to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity while advocating for a diplomatic resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war. He accused European countries of making unfounded claims regarding Iran’s military involvement in the conflict without providing any concrete evidence.

The spokesman also criticized the sanctions as a tactic to divert attention from the ongoing conflict in Gaza, stating, "The EU and UK are attempting to shift public opinion away from the genocide of the Palestinian people and the Zionist regime’s warmongering in the West Asian region." He further condemned the role of European countries, particularly Britain and Germany, in supplying lethal weapons used by Israel in its aggression against Gaza and Lebanon, actions he said amount to complicity in genocide.

Baghaei argued that European nations, as military partners of Israel, are violating international law, including the Convention on the Prohibition of Genocide. He defended Iran’s right to engage in defense and military cooperation with other nations, including Russia, to meet its national security needs.

The sanctions, approved on Sunday by the EU, target three Iranian airlines—Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Saha Airlines—over allegations that they have transferred missiles and drones to Russia. In addition to the airlines, the EU imposed restrictive measures on seven individuals and several other entities under similar charges. The UK also followed suit, imposing sanctions on senior Iranian military officials and organizations, citing Iran’s response to Israel’s actions in the region.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy issued a joint statement condemning Iran for what they described as interference in the Ukraine conflict, reaffirming their commitment to imposing further sanctions on Tehran. The statement was released after a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Union in Luxembourg.

Baghaei dismissed the new sanctions as “unjustified and contrary to international law,” labeling the EU and UK’s actions as contradictory to their claims of defending human rights. He called the sanctions a clear double standard, given European nations' involvement in arming Israel.

The escalating tensions highlight the complex geopolitical landscape, with Iran criticizing Western nations for their role in regional conflicts while facing increased scrutiny for its defense ties with Russia. (ILKHA)