The EU Council announced the expansion of its restrictive measures against Iran on Tuesday in response to the country's military support for Russia's war on Ukraine and armed groups in the Middle East.

The expanded measures will allow the EU to target individuals and entities involved in supplying, selling, or transferring Iran's missiles and UAVs when supporting Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, being used by armed groups and entities to undermine peace and security in the Middle East and Red Sea region, or breaching United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015).

"This framework, adopted in July 2023, currently prohibits the export of components used in the construction and production of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from the EU to Iran, and provides for travel restrictions and asset freeze measures against persons responsible for, supporting or involved in Iran’s UAV’s program," stated the Council.

"In view of Iran’s continuing military support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine as well as of non-state armed groups in the Middle East and the Red Sea region, and following the Iranian drone and missiles attacks against Israel on 13 April 2024, the Council decided that the EU’s ability to impose restrictive measures will now cover not only UAVs, but missiles too."

Initially, Iran denied supplying drones to Russia but later acknowledged that it had provided a small number before Moscow initiated its war on Ukraine in 2022.

Following Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7 and the subsequent Israeli offensive in Gaza, Iran has stepped up its efforts against American and Israeli interests, deploying armed groups throughout the Middle East that it supports, arms, and trains.