UK Suspends All Flights to Iran as Allies Intensify Sanctions

In a coordinated move, the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany have unveiled new sanctions against Iran, targeting its role in supplying ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine. This escalation includes a suspension of Iran Air’s flights to the UK and Europe, alongside travel bans and asset freezes on various Iranian individuals linked to military support for Russia.

During his visit to London, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that Iranian forces had trained Russians in the use of short-range ballistic missiles, which could soon be deployed against Ukrainian forces. This follows a pattern of increasing reliance by Russian President Vladimir Putin on military assistance from Iran and North Korea to sustain his aggression against Ukraine, violating multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

Blinken shared intelligence suggesting that dozens of military personnel had been trained in Iran to operate the Fath-360 ballistic missile system, which boasts a maximum range of 75 miles (120 km). He described the situation as a “significant and dangerous escalation” that would enhance Russia’s missile capabilities, enabling strikes on Ukrainian cities near the Russian border or areas under Russian control while continuing to target deeper Ukrainian territory with longer-range missiles.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy echoed Blinken’s concerns, highlighting the potential threat to European security posed by Iran’s missile supplies. The sanctions target several key individuals involved in the ballistic missile and drone supply chains, including Brigadier General Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari, who heads international relations at Iran’s defense ministry and is linked to its defense exports.

Additionally, sanctions have been imposed on five Russian cargo ships accused of transporting military supplies from Iran, despite repeated warnings from the UK. Several organizations involved in producing Iran’s Shahed drones, which Russia has used extensively in attacks on Ukrainian cities, are also facing sanctions.

The UK, France, and Germany—collectively known as the E3—assert that Iran’s missile exports represent a direct threat to European security. However, Iran has dismissed these allegations as “false and misleading,” maintaining that it does not supply such weapons to Russia.

These developments come as Russia continues its advance in eastern Ukraine, with Moscow’s forces approaching the strategically important settlement of Pokrovsk, a crucial transport hub. In response, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has voiced frustration over the slow pace of Western weapon deliveries and has requested permission to strike targets deep within Russia using Western-supplied missiles—a request the US has yet to approve.

In a show of solidarity, Blinken and Lammy announced plans for a joint visit to Ukraine later this week. This will be the first such trip in years and aims to reaffirm the close partnership between the UK and the US, often described as a “special relationship.” Blinken noted that one of their key objectives for the visit is to “hear directly from the Ukrainian leadership” about their needs and how the US and its allies can better support them.

This intensified international response underscores the growing global concern over Iran’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict and highlights the broader geopolitical ramifications of the ongoing war.