BRUSSELS — (AP) — The European Union announced on Monday that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard chief, the Revolutionary Guard’s Aerospace Forces, and the company that makes the drone Brock says was used by Russia in the war with Ukraine. sanctions were imposed on
Ukrainian air defenses reinforced in the West make it difficult for Russian fighters to operate. Killer drones are inexpensive weapons that can seek out and destroy targets while spreading terror among both military and civilian populations.
Russia has been accused of sending large numbers of Iranian-made drones over Ukraine to attack power plants and other critical infrastructure. The EU says it has evidence that Iran has sold drones to Russia since the war began in February. It is investigating reports that Iran may also be supplying missiles.
In a statement, the EU said it was targeting Revolutionary Guard Commander Hossein Salami. It said this was because the Revolutionary Guard “oversees the development of Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program and the transfer of UAVs overseas.”
Brock also slapped sanctions on the Revolutionary Guard’s aerospace force and commander, stating that the Shahed-136 and Mohajer-6 drones they allegedly supplied were “used by the Russian Federation in its war of aggression against Ukraine. It is being done,” he said.
Qods Aviation Industries, which manufactures the Mohajer-6 drone, was also listed for “supporting serious actions that undermine or threaten Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.”
Last month, the EU imposed an asset freeze on Shahad Aviation Industries and imposed an asset freeze and travel ban on three military generals suspected of being linked to Iran’s drone program.
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