Askume Berlin/London, Sept 10 – The governments of France, Germany and the United Kingdom condemned Iran’s transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia and said they would cancel bilateral air services agreements with Iran and impose sanctions on Iranian airlines.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Russia had received ballistic missiles from Iran and could use them in the war in Ukraine within a few weeks .
A joint statement issued by the three countries said: “This behaviour is an aggressive step by Iran and Russia and poses a direct threat to European security.”
“We urge Iran to immediately cease all support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and halt the development and transfer of ballistic missiles.”
Blinken had earlier said during a visit to Britain that the United States would also impose new sanctions, including on Iranian airlines. The UK said the cancellation of bilateral air service arrangements would limit Iran Air’s ability to fly to the UK and Europe.
Britain announced sanctions against Russian cargo ships after the British government said they played a role in transporting military supplies from Iran to Russia.
UK sanctions also target certain individuals and organisations, “including those involved in ballistic missile and drone supply chains and those who play a role in Iran’s provision of military support to Russia”.
“We know that any transfer of ballistic missiles by Iran would be met with a strong response,” Foreign Minister David Lammy said in a statement.
