Iran blasts maritime sanctions, saying embargo harms partnership in marine security

Iranian Minister of Road and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh said maritime sanctions are harming partnerships in ensuring maritime safety and security.

News ID: 5495

Date: 27 November 2024 - 11:43

TABNAK, Nov, 27 :She made the remarks in a meeting with the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Arsenio Dominguez.

“Cruel and unilateral sanctions against Iranian maritime transport harm friendly spaces and regional and trans-regional cooperation in the sea and maritime domain,” Sadegh said.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has always been ‘decisive and effective’ in ensuring maritime safety and security and protecting the marine environment of a country, she said.

Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization has always been a pioneer in advancing and implementing IMO programs and policies in the field of promoting maritime safety and security, she noted.

Arsenio Dominguez

Arsenio Dominguez, for his part, said, the IMO seeks to enhance and strengthen its mutual relations and cooperation with its member states in the new era.

“I believe that sanctions seriously jeopardize cooperation in the field of maritime safety and security and participation in the protection of the marine environment, and IMO will never recognize unilateral sanctions against its member states,” he said.

On November 18, the European Union significantly escalated its sanctions against Iran, adding Iranian shipping lines to its existing restrictions.

This expansion, announced by the European Commission, is a direct response to refuted allegations that Iran has been supplying Russia with weaponry for its ongoing war in Ukraine.

Specifically targeted are the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), its director Mohammad Reza Khiabani, and several other individuals and entities.

The sanctions prohibit any transactions involving vessels, ports, or other infrastructure owned, operated, or controlled by these sanctioned parties.

The EU's justification rests on claims that these sanctioned individuals and entities have facilitated the transportation of Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), missiles, and related technology and components to Russia for use in the conflict. This action follows similar sanctions levied against Iran Air over a month ago, based on the same accusations.

Iran has consistently denied supplying weapons to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine, asking Europe to provide evidence for its claims. Europe has yet to put forth proof for its allegations.

Previously, on November 4, during a joint press conference with Nordic leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that while Ukraine's intelligence service has indicated serious “discussions” between Iran and Russia regarding missile transfers, there is no evidence that Iran has supplied any ballistic missiles to Russia.