On Tuesday 14 May, the Council of the European Union decided to extend the scope of the EU’s framework of restrictive measures relating to Iran’s military support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
In practice, this framework will also cover missiles - and not just drones - and will also cover Iranian support for non-state armed groups in the Middle East and the Red Sea region (see EUROPE 13396/2).
The EU will now be able to target individuals and entities supplying, selling or otherwise participating in the transfer of Iranian missiles and drones in support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, or used by armed groups and entities to undermine peace and security in the Middle East and Red Sea region, or in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015) on an arms embargo against armed groups in Yemen.
Exports from the EU to Iran of new components used in the development and production of UAVs will also be banned. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)