U.S, UK Sanction Russian Cargo Ships for Transporting Iranian Military Supplies

The UK government has announced significant measures against Iran and Russia in response to Iran’s transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine. The actions, coordinated with international partners, aim to pressure Iran to cease its support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The U.S. has also issued sanctions ten individuals and six entities based in Iran and Russia, as well as identifying four vessels as blocked property.

The governments of France, Germany, and Britain have condemned Iran’s transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s statement that Russia had received ballistic missiles from Iran and would likely use them in its war in Ukraine within weeks.

“Russia has an array of its own ballistic missiles, but the supply of Iranian missiles enables Russia to use more of its arsenal for targets that are further from the frontline, while dedicating the new missiles it’s receiving from Iran for closer-range targets,” Secretary Blinken said on Tuesday.

In a joint statement, France, Germany, and Britain said the act represents an escalation by both Iran and Russia and a direct threat to European security. “We call on Iran to immediately cease all support to Russia’s war against Ukraine and halt the development and transfers of its ballistic missiles,” the statement said.

Key measures from the UK government include sanctions on five Russian cargo ships involved in transporting military supplies from Iran to Russia. The vessels have been identified as;

• SKIF-V (IMO 8858087)
• OMSKIY (IMO 8889385)
• MUSA JALIL (IMO 8846814)
• BEGEY (IMO 8943210)
• BALTIYSKIY (IMO 7612448)

Additional measures comprise: cancellation of bilateral air services arrangements with Iran, restricting Iran Air’s access to the UK; sanctions on key individuals and organizations involved in Iran’s military support to Russia; and sanctions on Russian organizations intending to use Iranian weapons systems in Ukraine.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated, “Iran supplying Russia with ballistic missiles to fuel its illegal invasion of Ukraine is a significant and dangerous escalation. We have been clear in that any transfer of ballistic missiles by Iran would face a significant response.”

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh added, “We will continue to use every lever at our disposal to put pressure on Iran to end its support for Putin’s illegal invasion, which is why we have begun the termination of all direct air services between the UK and Iran.”

The UK government is also preparing new legislation to strengthen trade sanctions on Iran, targeting items used in the production of ballistic missiles, UAVs, and other weaponry.

Concurrently, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced designating ten individuals and six entities based in Iran and Russia, as well as identifying four vessels as blocked property.

“Iran has opted to intensify its involvement in Russia’s illegal war, and the United States, along with our partners, will continue to stand with Ukraine,” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo.

The vessels, owned and operated by MG-FLOT Limited Liability Company (formerly TransMorFlot LLC), are accused of enabling Iran’s delivery of weapons components and systems to Russia.

The sanctioned vessels are the Russia-flagged BORIS KUSTODIEV, PORT OLYA-3, PORT OLYA-4, and KOMPOZITOR RAKHMANINOV. OFAC said these ships regularly transit the Caspian Sea, transporting cargo between Iran and Russia. Notably, the Russian Ministry of Defense used the vessel PORT OLYA-3 to transport close-range ballistic missiles (CRBMs) from Iran to Russia.

The latest sanctions are part of broader efforts by the U.S. and UK, along with their allies, to curb Iran’s support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.