London: Ali Akbar Safaei, the Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development and managing director of Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO), has condemned the sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom and the European Union on Iran's shipping lines. Safaei made these remarks during his visit to London, where he participated in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council meeting. According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Safaei stated in an interview that the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) is a fully commercial entity, involved in the transportation of goods to and from Iran, as well as other countries. He emphasized that IRISL is one of the largest shipping companies in West Asia, focusing on importing essential goods through the Caspian Sea. He argued that the European Union's accusations against IRISL are unfounded. The European Union recently imposed sanctions on Iran's shipping lines and its director, alleging involvement in supplying weapons to Russia amid the ongoing c onflict in Ukraine. Iran has categorically denied these accusations, maintaining that it has not been providing weapons to Russia. In a social media post, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the EU's reported plans to sanction IRISL, reiterating Iran's stance against the accusations.