(Bloomberg) -- France, Germany and the UK said they would further restrict flights to and from Iran, part of a broader push with the US to punish the country over accusations it provided Russia ballistic missiles for the war against Ukraine.
The European trio on Tuesday issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s move as a “direct threat to European security” and said they aim to cancel air services agreements with the country, which are necessary for direct flights. The US and the UK said they were coordinating to punish several officials and organizations in Iran and Russia, including state carrier Iran Air.
The US and its allies had warned Iran for months against providing ballistic missiles to Russia and had threatened a swift response if it did so. Officials said last week they had confirmed a transfer had taken place. Speaking in London on Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Moscow would likely use the Fath-360 missiles on Ukrainian territory “within weeks.”
Iran has denied it sent any weapons to Russia, calling the accusation politically driven and “baseless.”
The flight restrictions risk further isolating Iran and its diaspora after many European carriers including Lufthansa AG limited flights to the country. Iran Air operates two flights weekly from London’s Heathrow airport, as well as direct routes to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rome and Paris.
The carrier has faced restrictions for decades as a result of US sanctions that prevent the Islamic Republic from importing civilian aircraft and parts from international companies like Boeing Co. and Airbus SE.
Most of the airline’s fleet was banned from the EU over safety concerns from 2010 to 2016. It’s also faced refueling restrictions that have occasionally forced its planes to make additional stops during longer flights.
Separately, the European Union said it would also propose to member states a “substantial set of decisive and targeted measures” against Iran in response to its military support for Russia, Peter Stano, the bloc’s foreign affairs spokesman said.
The US Treasury Department said in a statement that Iran and Russia signed a contract for hundreds of missiles late last year. The first shipment arrived earlier this month, it said, following Iranian training for Russian personnel over the summer.
The sanctions announced by the US and UK were also imposed on Russian cargo ships used to transport military supplies from Iran to Russia.
The US and its allies in Europe have poured billions of dollars worth of weapons into Ukraine, including F-16 fighter jets and Abrams tanks, as well as artillery shells and air defense systems to repel President Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
They’ve also showered Russian and Iranian government agencies, companies and individuals with an unprecedented array of sanctions since the war started, although there’s little sign those measures have hastened its end. The US has also targeted Chinese entities that it says has provided components for drones or helped Russia evade sanctions.
--With assistance from Alberto Nardelli, Natalia Drozdiak, Jenny Leonard, Daniel Flatley and Andrea Palasciano.
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