Iran reacts cautiously to US and EU sanctions on Russia

In the face of the latest wave of criticism and sanctions from the US and Europe, over the alleged sale of ballistic missiles to Russia, Iran has responded rather modestly, consisting mainly of official statements from officials.

On September 11, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran did not send any missiles to Russia.

“Once again, the US and EU are acting on false intelligence and faulty logic – Iran did not transfer ballistic missiles to Russia,” Araghchi said in a post on X/Twitter.

“Sanctions junkies should ask themselves: How can Iran produce and supposedly sell sophisticated weapons? Sanctions are not the solution but part of the problem,” the Middle Eastern nation’s top diplomat said.

These measured responses suggest a cautious approach by Tehran: seeking to manage the diplomatic fallout without escalating tensions further.

A photo released by the Iranian military shows a Fath-360 short-range ballistic missile. Photo: The Guardian

The Fars news agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also denied the report, citing a “knowledgeable military source” who said Iran had not sent ballistic missiles to Russia. Fars claimed the report was part of a psychological warfare against Tehran.

Tehran-based analyst Ali Bigdeli agreed on September 12, telling a local news site that the allegations regarding the missile sales were part of a plot to put pressure on Iran.

The analyst said the increased pressure was timed to coincide with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's planned meetings with European leaders at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied the news on September 11, saying reports of missile supplies from Iran were inaccurate. However, Mr. Peskov called Tehran one of Moscow's important trading partners.

Earlier, the US, UK, France and Germany on September 10 accused Iran of transferring short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine, announcing that new sanctions would quickly follow.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the announcement during a visit to London at a press conference with his British counterpart, David Lammy.

The governments of France, Britain and Germany have issued a joint statement condemning the alleged missile transfer by Iran, calling it "an escalation by both Iran and Russia" and "a direct threat to European security".

They said they had made clear in repeated warnings in recent weeks that “new and significant measures against Iran” would be imposed if the missiles were delivered.

"We will take immediate steps to suspend bilateral air services with Iran. In addition, we will pursue the designation of key entities and individuals involved in Iran's ballistic missile program and the transfer of ballistic missiles and other weapons to Russia. We will also seek to impose sanctions on Iran Air," the three European countries said in a joint statement.

Mr. Blinken also outlined similar plans from the US side, again focusing on Iran Air and the Middle Eastern country's aviation industry.

An updated sanctions list on the US Treasury Department website details new sanctions imposed on 10 Iranian nationals and five Iranian companies in the transportation and engineering sectors accused of having ties to the IRGC and Russia.

Minh Duc (According to Iran International, DW)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/iran-phan-ung-than-trong-voi-lenh-trung-phat-cua-my-va-eu-lien-quan-den-nga-204240913105513541.htm