Hostname: page-component-745bb68f8f-lrblm Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-02-11T10:06:40.765Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The United States, the European Union, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom Take Measures Against Iran for Transferring Ballistic Missiles to Russia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2025

Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content.
Image of the first page of this content. For PDF version, please use the ‘Save PDF’ preceeding this image.'
Type
International Economic Law
Information
American Journal of International Law , Volume 119 , Issue 1 , January 2025 , pp. 161 - 168
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of American Society of International Law

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 See U.S. Dep't of the Treasury Press Release, Treasury Designates Actors Facilitating Iran's Transfer of Lethal Aid to Russia (Sept. 10, 2024), at https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2570 [https://perma.cc/KP92-GP8W] [hereinafter Treasury Press Release]; UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Press Release, UK and Partners Respond to Iran's Transfer of Ballistic Missiles to Russia (Sept. 10, 2024), at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-and-partners-respond-to-irans-transfer-of-ballistic-missiles-to-russia [https://perma.cc/6P9C-54DG] [hereinafter FCDO Press Release]. Russian entities and vessels involved were sanctioned as well.

2 See German Federal Foreign Office Press Release, E3 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Iranian Transfers of Ballistic Missiles to Russia (Sept. 10, 2024), at https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/newsroom/news/e3/2675032 [https://perma.cc/59N2-TZYE].

3 Treasury Press Release, supra note 1.

4 Id.

5 Thomas, Ken, Russia and Iran Military Ties Deepening Into Partnership, Biden Administration Warns, Wall St. J. (Dec. 9, 2022)Google Scholar, at https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-and-iran-military-ties-deepening-into-partnership-biden-administration-warns-11670614091 (quoting National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby); see also Norman, Laurence, Gordon, Michael R. & Ward, Alexander, U.S. Tells Allies Iran Has Sent Ballistic Missiles to Russia, Wall St. J. (Sept. 6, 2024)Google Scholar, at https://www.wsj.com/world/u-s-tells-allies-iran-has-sent-ballistic-missiles-to-russia-9558f4c4.

6 See Michael R. Gordon, Gordon Lubold & Benoit Faucon, Russia Moves Forward with Plans to Buy Iranian Ballistic Missiles, Wall St. J. (Jan. 4, 2024), at https://www.wsj.com/world/russia-moves-forward-with-plans-to-buy-iranian-ballistic-missiles-cf3560e4.

7 See Dion Nissenbaum & Warren P. Strobel, Moscow, Tehran Advance Plans for Iranian-Designed Drone Facility in Russia, Wall St. J. (Feb. 5, 2023), at https://www.wsj.com/world/moscow-tehran-advance-plans-for-iranian-designed-drone-facility-in-russia-11675609087; Bennett, Dalton & Ilyushina, Mary, Inside the Russian Effort to Build 6,000 Attack Drones with Iran's Help, Wash. Post (Aug. 17, 2023)Google Scholar, at https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2023/08/17/russia-iran-drone-shahed-alabuga. The United States has sanctioned persons and entities, primarily Iranian and Russian nationals, engaged in the transfer of the UAVs and arms between the two countries. See U.S. Dep't of the Treasury Press Release, Treasury Targets Networks Facilitating Illicit Trade and UAV Transfers on Behalf of Iranian Military (Apr. 25, 2024), at https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2295 [https://perma.cc/CC8H-4V7R]; U.S. Dep't of the Treasury Press Release, On Second Anniversary of Russia's Further Invasion of Ukraine and Following the Death of Aleksey Navalny, Treasury Sanctions Hundreds of Targets in Russia and Globally (Feb. 23, 2024), at https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2117 [https://perma.cc/NGV2-V8QX]; U.S. Dep't of State Press Release, Responding to Two Years of Russia's Full-Scale War on Ukraine and Navalny's Death (Feb. 23, 2024), at https://www.state.gov/imposing-measures-in-response-to-navalnys-death-and-two-years-of-russias-full-scale-war-against-ukraine [https://perma.cc/EU63-G3SZ]; U.S. Dep't of State Press Release, Fact Sheet on Department of State Designations (Oct. 18, 2023), at https://www.state.gov/fact-sheet-on-department-of-state-designations [https://perma.cc/VA7L-XAGD]; U.S. Dep't of the Treasury Press Release, Treasury Sanctions Multinational Network Supporting Iran's UAV and Military Aircraft Production (Sept. 19, 2023), at https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1745 [https://perma.cc/N9LM-2HRT]; U.S. Dep't of State Press Release, United States Imposes Additional Sanctions and Export Controls on Russia in Coordination with International Partners (May 19, 2023), at https://www.state.gov/united-states-imposes-additional-sanctions-and-export-controls-on-russia [https://perma.cc/7EBU-JFAL]; U.S. Dep't of State Press Release, The United States Imposes Sanctions on Russian Entities Involved in UAV Deal with Iran (Dec. 9, 2022), at https://www.state.gov/the-united-states-imposes-sanctions-on-russian-entities-involved-in-uav-deal-with-iran [https://perma.cc/EY8B-GA28]; U.S. Dep't of the Treasury Press Release, Treasury Targets Actors Involved in Production and Transfer of Iranian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to Russia for Use in Ukraine (Nov. 15, 2022), at https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1104 [https://perma.cc/2J8J-E3JT]; U.S. Dep't of State Press Release, Imposing Sanctions on Entities and Individuals in Response to Iran's Transfer of Military UAVs to Russia (Nov. 15, 2022), at https://www.state.gov/imposing-sanctions-on-entities-and-individuals-in-response-to-irans-transfer-of-military-uavs-to-russia [https://perma.cc/N9LY-VK9Q]; U.S. Dep't of the Treasury Press Release, Treasury Sanctions Iranian Persons Involved in Production of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Weapon Shipment to Russia (Sept. 8, 2022), at https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0940 [https://perma.cc/2YE4-5HD7]; U.S. Dep't of State Press Release, Designating Iranian Proliferators of Shipping Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology to Russia for Use in Ukraine (Sept. 8, 2022), at https://www.state.gov/designating-iranian-proliferators-of-shipping-unmanned-aerial-vehicle-technology-to-russia-for-use-in-ukraine [https://perma.cc/9UAJ-HU36].

8 See Warrick, Joby, Nakashima, Ellen & Harris, Shane, Iran Plans to Send Missiles, Drones to Russia for Ukraine War, Officials Say, Wash. Post (Oct. 16, 2022)Google Scholar, at https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/10/16/iran-russia-missiles-ukraine; Thomas, supra note 5; Nissenbaum & Strobel, supra note 7. Russia has also sourced UAVs and ballistic missiles (as well as ammunition, parts, and weapons) from China and North Korea. See, e.g., U.S. Dep't of the Treasury Press Release, Treasury Targets Actors Involved in Drone Production for Russia's War Against Ukraine (Oct. 17, 2024), at https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2651 [https://perma.cc/4KXV-NCXF]; Defense Intelligence Agency Press Release, DIA Report Confirms North Korean Missile Debris Found in Ukraine (May 29, 2024), at https://www.dia.mil/News-Features/Articles/Article-View/Article/3790623/dia-report-confirms-north-korean-missile-debris-found-in-ukraine [https://perma.cc/PAH4-GZVF]; Warren P. Strobel & Michael R. Gordon, How Putin Rebuilt Russia's War Machine with Help from U.S. Adversaries, Wall St. J. (June 19, 2024), at https://www.wsj.com/world/how-putin-rebuilt-russias-war-machine-with-help-from-u-s-adversaries-1ea6c2d1.

9 See SC Res. 2231, para. 7(b) (2015) (deciding that all states shall comply with the statement in the resolution's Annex B, paragraph 4, which prohibits the transfer of items listed in S/2015/546, including ballistic missiles, to/from Iran without the Council's permission).

10 See Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Press Release, Foreign Ministry Statement on the Expiry of Certain Restrictions as Per UN Security Council Resolution 2231 (Oct. 17, 2023), at https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/1909912 [https://perma.cc/F5CH-TRQ2].

11 Proliferation Security Initiative Press Release, Joint Statement on UN Security Council Resolution 2231 Transition Day (Oct. 18, 2023), at https://www.psi-online.info/psi-info-en/service/aktuelles/resolution-2231-transition-day/2627742 [https://perma.cc/MU4B-L55H].

12 See Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Press Release, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) Transition Day: UK Statement (Oct. 18, 2023), at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-statement-on-joint-comprehensive-plan-of-action-jcpoa-transition-day [https://perma.cc/EG2T-ZKDL]; Council of the European Union Press Release, Iran: Council Maintains Restrictive Measures Under the Non-proliferation Sanctions Regime After the JCPoA Transition Day (Oct. 17, 2023), at https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/10/17/iran-council-maintains-restrictive-measures-under-the-non-proliferation-sanctions-regime-after-the-jcpoa-transition-day [https://perma.cc/QEL4-W7PV].

13 See Jean Galbraith, Contemporary Practice of the United States, 112 AJIL 486, 514 (2018).

14 White House Press Release, Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby (Jan. 4, 2024), at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2024/01/04/press-briefing-by-press-secretary-karine-jean-pierre-and-nsc-coordinator-for-strategic-communications-john-kirby-january-4-2024 [https://perma.cc/4P2M-TRZY].

15 European Council Press Release, G7 Leaders’ Statement on Iran (Mar. 15, 2024), at https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/03/15/g7-leaders-statement-on-iran [https://perma.cc/5KBD-VHPS].

16 Id.

17 Id. The G7 repeated its warning in June. See White House Press Release, G7 Apulia Leaders’ Communiqué (June 14, 2024), at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/06/14/g7-leaders-statement-8 [https://perma.cc/WBC7-LX9C].

18 European Council, European Council Meeting (21 and 22 March 2024) – Conclusions, Doc. EUCO 7/24 (Mar. 22, 2024), at https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-7-2024-INIT/en/pdf [https://perma.cc/L5W9-LWER].

19 See Council of the European Union Press Release, Iran: Council Broadens EU Restrictive Measures in View of Iran Military Support of Russia's War of Aggression Against Ukraine and Armed Groups in the Middle East and Red Sea Region (May 14, 2024), at https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/05/14/iran-council-broadens-eu-restrictive-measures-in-view-of-iran-military-support-of-russia-s-war-of-aggression-against-ukraine-and-armed-groups-in-the-middle-east-and-red-sea-region [https://perma.cc/BDQ7-H326].

20 See U.S. Dep't of State Press Release, Secretary Antony J. Blinken and United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Lammy Joint Press Availability (Sept. 10, 2024), at https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-and-united-kingdom-foreign-secretary-david-lammy-joint-press-availability [https://perma.cc/GK2T-GS5G].

21 Id.

22 Id.

23 Id.

24 C. Todd Lopez, Iran Gives Russia Short-Range Missiles, While U.S., Partners Expect to Keep Bolstering Ukrainian Air Defense, DOD News (Sept. 10, 2024), at https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3901774/iran-gives-russia-short-range-missiles-while-us-partners-expect-to-keep-bolster [https://perma.cc/7BM8-63NJ].

25 Norman, Gordon & Ward, supra note 5.

26 Lopez, supra note 24.

27 White House Press Release, On-the-Record Press Gaggle by White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby (Sept. 12, 2024), at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2024/09/12/on-the-record-press-gaggle-by-white-house-national-security-communications-advisor-john-kirby-27 [https://perma.cc/FGH4-Z9AD].

28 U.S. Dep't of State Press Release, G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement Condemning Iran's Export and Russia's Procurement of Iranian Ballistic Missiles (Sept. 14, 2024), at https://www.state.gov/g7-foreign-ministers-statement-condemning-irans-export-and-russias-procurement-of-iranian-ballistic-missiles [https://perma.cc/3MDJ-5A52].

29 Id.

30 See U.S. Dep't of State Press Release, New Iran and Russia Sanctions Designations (Sept. 10, 2024), at https://www.state.gov/new-iran-and-russia-sanctions-designations [https://perma.cc/K4BP-YWEL] [hereinafter State Department Press Release]; Treasury Press Release, supra note 1.

31 See id.

32 See U.S. Dep't of the Treasury Press Release, U.S. Government Fully Re-imposes Sanctions on the Iranian Regime as Part of Unprecedented U.S. Economic Pressure Campaign (Nov. 5, 2018), at https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm541 [https://perma.cc/U9BX-5BGM].

33 Blocking Property of Certain Persons with Respect to the Conventional Arms Activities of Iran, Exec. Order 13949, 85 Fed. Reg. 60043 (Sept. 21, 2020).

34 Blocking Property with Respect to Specified Harmful Foreign Activities of the Government of the Russian Federation, Exec. Order 14024, 86 Fed. Reg. 20249 (Apr. 15, 2021).

35 Treasury Press Release, supra note 1.

36 State Department Press Release, supra note 30.

37 See Council of the European Union Press Release, Iran: Statement by the High Representative on Behalf of the European Union (Sept. 13, 2024), at https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/09/13/iran-statement-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union [https://perma.cc/M7QM-LSY6] [hereinafter Borrell Statement]; FCDO Press Release, supra note 1; UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Press Release, Iranian Transfers of Ballistic Missiles to Russia: UK, France and Germany Joint Statement (Sept. 10, 2024), at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/iranian-transfers-of-ballistic-missiles-to-russia-uk-france-and-germany-joint-statement [https://perma.cc/K67G-FTEC] [hereinafter Joint Statement].

38 Borrell Statement, supra note 37.

39 See id.

40 See FCDO Press Release, supra note 1.

41 Joint Statement, supra note 37.

42 See European Council Press Release, Iran: Seven Individuals and Seven Entities Sanctioned in Response to Iran's Missile Transfer to Russia (Oct. 14, 2024), at https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/10/14/iran-seven-individuals-and-seven-entities-sanctioned-in-response-to-iran-s-missile-transfer-to-russia [https://perma.cc/D569-UKJX]; Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/2698 (Oct. 14, 2024).

43 UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Press Release, UK Sanctions Iran for Aiding Russia's Illegal War in Ukraine, as Foreign Secretary Chairs UN Security Council (Nov. 18, 2024), at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-sanctions-iran-for-aiding-russias-illegal-war-in-ukraine-as-foreign-secretary-chairs-un-security-council [https://perma.cc/7954-QNLZ].

44 See UK Dep't for Business and Trade Press Release, NTE 2024/24: Trade Sanctions Against Iran, Introduced in September 2024 (Sept. 16, 2024), at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-to-exporters-202424-trade-sanctions-against-iran-introduced-in-september-2024/nte-202424-trade-sanctions-against-iran-introduced-in-september-2024 [https://perma.cc/44JQ-7QMY]; Council of the European Union Press Release, Iran: EU Widens Restrictive Measures in View of Iran Support of the Russian War of Aggression Against Ukraine and Lists One Individual and Four Entities (Nov. 18, 2024), at https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/11/18/iran-eu-widens-restrictive-measures-in-view-of-iran-support-of-the-russian-war-of-aggression-against-ukraine-and-lists-one-individual-and-four-entities [https://perma.cc/B3T6-4J8J].

45 See Joint Statement, supra note 37.

46 See Sipinski, Dominik, Germany, France, UK to Terminate Iran Bilaterals, ch-aviation (Sept. 12, 2024)Google Scholar, at https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/144670-germany-france-uk-to-terminate-iran-bilaterals [https://perma.cc/JGJ8-CNLY].

47 See Agreement Between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Imperial Government of Iran for Air Services Between and Beyond Their Respective Territories, Art. 15, May 2, 1960, at https://treaties.fcdo.gov.uk/data/Library2/pdf/1966-TS0017.pdf [https://perma.cc/3SYZ-6L6Q]; Agreement Between the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Imperial Government of Iran for Commercial Air Services Between and Beyond Their Respective Territories, Art. 17, July 1, 1961, 728 UNTS 25), at https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%20728/volume-728-I-10465-English.pdf [https://perma.cc/9RLM-4NP8]; Accord entre la République française et l'Iran concernant les services aériens agréés desservant les territoires respectifs des deux pays, art. 14, Apr. 21, 1960, at https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000674770 [https://perma.cc/HN44-ST9F].

48 See Lufthansa Suspends Flights to Beirut, Tehran Until Early 2025, Reuters (Oct. 23, 2024), at https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/lufthansa-suspends-flights-beirut-tehran-until-early-2025-2024-10-23.

49 See Erlanger, Steven, Barnes, Julian E. & Crowley, Michael, Iran Sent Short-Range Missiles to Russia, Western Officials Say, N.Y. Times (Sept. 7, 2024)Google Scholar, at https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/07/world/europe/iran-russia-missiles-ukraine.html (quoting a statement by Iran's mission to the United Nations).

50 Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Release, Araghchi: Iran Has NOT Delivered Ballistic Missiles to Russia. Period (Sept. 11, 2024), at https://en.mfa.gov.ir/portal/newsview/753132 [https://perma.cc/5CJR-3WPC].

51 Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Release, Iran Condemns European Countries for Baseless Sanctions Reaffirms Stance on Ukraine War (Sept. 11, 2024), at https://en.mfa.gov.ir/portal/newsview/753102 [https://perma.cc/Q7HT-JPMP]; see also Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Release, Iran Denounces EU UK Sanctions as Contradictory Unjustified (Oct. 15, 2024), at https://en.mfa.gov.ir/portal/newsview/754947 [https://perma.cc/7TDX-KHLN].