Tehran: Iran has denounced the latest round of sanctions imposed against the country by the European Union and the UK, stating that banning Iran's civil aviation and shipping industry constitutes a blatant example of systematic human rights violations. According to Islamic Republic News Agency, in a statement released on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei criticized the EU and UK's sanctions on several Iranian entities and individuals, including the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), as 'unjustifiable, inconsistent with international law, and in violation of the EU and UK's commitments under the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action).' Baghaei claimed that the EU and UK justified their sanctions on the 'unfounded claim' that Iran supplied ballistic missiles to Russia. He pointed out that even Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had acknowledged that no Iranian ballistic missiles had been delivered to Russia. Therefore, he emphasized that using this claim as a pretext for sanctions against Iran is 'completely unjustifiable and lacks legitimacy or any legal or rational basis.' The Foreign Ministry spokesman further argued that 'freedom of navigation and maritime trade are fundamental principles of international maritime law, and accordingly, the international responsibility of the European parties for violations of international law is evident.' On Monday, the European Union announced new sanctions against Iran over its alleged support for Russia in the Ukraine war. These sanctions targeted vessels and ports claimed to be used for transferring drones and missiles to Russia. Acting in parallel, the UK announced fresh sanctions against Iran, freezing the assets of IRISL and national airline Iran Air, accusing them of being used for transporting ballistic missiles and military supplies to Russia for use in Ukraine. Iran has consistently dismissed allegations of sending drones and missiles to Russia since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine.