More EU Measures Against Iran Military Support To Syria, Russia

European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

The European Union has taken another step in addressing Iran's military support for Russia's war against Ukraine and its involvement in Syria.

On Thursday, the EU council established a new framework for restrictive measures to counter Iran's role in the proliferation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones.

The recently adopted regime specifically prohibits the export of components used in the construction and production of UAVs from the European Union to Iran.

The measures build upon three previously adopted packages of drone-related sanctions that targeted both individuals and entities involved in Iran's drone activities.

In a related development, the EU council decided to add six Iranian individuals to the existing sanctions regimes for their involvement in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and support to the Syrian regime's air defense systems.

The urgency of these measures comes amid recent reports from the Irish government about the use of drone components originating from Ireland in a Russian drone shot down in Ukraine.

The Irish Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, revealed on Wednesday that the Irish government is actively investigating the matter.

Pictures of the recovered drone, reportedly equipped with an Iranian-made Shahed drone part labeled 'Made in Ireland,' were shared on social media by Andriy Yermak, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

Varadkar further acknowledged that third parties might have found ways to circumvent the EU ban on drone components being sold to Russia.

The specific component in question, a carburetor, was marked as being made by the American company Tillotson, which operates a factory in County Kerry, Ireland, as reported by Irish broadcaster RTÉ.