Tehran: The British chargé d'affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest the country's illegal action to sanction the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Company. According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the UK's recent sanctions on several Iranian individuals and legal entities, including the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Company and Iran Air, have sparked a strong response from Iran. The UK imposed these sanctions under the pretext that Iran was sending ballistic missiles to Russia, a claim Iran has vehemently denied. In the absence of the UK ambassador, the chargé d'affaires was called to the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday night, where Iran's strong protest against what it perceives as an illegal and unjustified action was delivered. The Assistant Director General for Western Europe at Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the UK's actions, describing them as contrary to international law and a violation of the principle of freedom of navigation and maritime trade. Abbas Naderi, a representative of the ministry, rejected the accusation that Iran had sent ballistic missiles to Russia, highlighting that even the President of Ukraine has acknowledged the falsity of this claim. Naderi emphasized that Iran's defense and security cooperation with other countries is legitimate and legal, and does not target any third party. He further stated that the interference by European countries, including the United Kingdom, in Iran's defense collaborations is entirely unacceptable.