The Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has strongly condemned the new sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United Kingdom on several Iranian entities and individuals, including the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL).
Baghaei said the sanctions which were imposed over baseless accusations of ballistic missile transfers to Russia are unjustified and in violation of international law as well as the EU and UK's commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear accord.
The spokesperson reiterated that the claims of ballistic missile transfers from Iran to Russia, as dismissed by Ukraine's president himself, are baseless.
“The EU and UK's sanctions against Iran on this pretext are entirely unjustifiable and lack any legitimacy or legal or rational basis,” he stated.
Baghaei emphasized that the EU and UK sanctions, particularly those targeting civil aviation and the latest sanctions on IRISL, affect the fundamental human rights of Iranians, are a clear example of systematic human rights violations, and hold the originators and imposers of such sanctions internationally accountable.
“Freedom of navigation and maritime trade are fundamental principles of international maritime law,” Baghaei affirmed, holding European parties responsible for breaching international law.
Baghaei also condemned the EU and UK's interventionist policies in the legitimate and legal defensive-military relations between states.
He stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran will use all its capacities to cooperate with its partners in order to safeguard its national interests and security.