The United Kingdom announced on Tuesday the termination of all direct air services between the UK and Iran as part of a new round of sanctions against Tehran for supplying Russia with missiles intended for use in Ukraine. The move is part of broader international efforts to pressure Iran for its military support of Russia during the ongoing conflict.
Iran Air, which currently operates direct flights between London and Tehran three times a week, will be restricted from flying to the UK following the cancellation of bilateral air services agreements. The UK government stated that this action, taken in coordination with international partners, is a direct response to Iran’s provision of short-range missiles to Russia, which Western powers view as a significant escalation of the conflict and a threat to European security.
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The UK Foreign Ministry emphasized that the sanctions followed repeated warnings to Tehran not to transfer weapons to Russia. UK Transport Secretary Louise Haigh affirmed the government’s commitment to applying all available pressure on Iran to cease its support for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “illegal invasion” of Ukraine.
In addition to the flight termination, the UK joined the United States in sanctioning key individuals and organizations involved in Iran’s military supply chain, including those facilitating ballistic missile and drone transfers. Several Russian entities, including five cargo ships involved in transporting military supplies from Iran to Russia, were also sanctioned as part of the coordinated international response.
This latest move underscores the escalating tensions between Western powers and both Iran and Russia, as the conflict in Ukraine continues.
