Brussels: The European Union has imposed sanctions on Iran's shipping lines and its director over claims they have been involved in the supply of weapons to Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. EU's executive arm, the European Commission, announced that the sanctions are a response to concerns about the supply of Iranian-made Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), missiles, and related technologies and components to Russia and armed groups in the Middle East. The Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), its director Mohammad Reza Khiabani, and others have been added to the EU's sanctions list. The bloc has prohibited any transactions with vessels, ports, and docks owned, operated, or controlled by the individuals and entities targeted by the sanctions. According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the British government has also imposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran's airline and shipping companies. This follows claims of Iran's involvement in the Ukraine conflict through the transfer of ballis tic missiles to Russia. Iran Air, as a state airline, has been sanctioned due to the alleged transfer of ballistic missiles, according to the UK government's statement. Additionally, Iran's national shipping company has been added to the sanctions list in London under similar allegations. Iran has consistently denied accusations of supplying weapons to Russia for use in the ongoing war in Ukraine. In response to the EU's actions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the reported plans to sanction the IRISL on his X account. Araghchi argued that the EU's use of the "non-existent missile pretext" to target Iran's shipping lines lacks legal, logical, or moral justification.