Tue Nov 19 08:34:52 UTC 2024: ## Iran Condemns New European Sanctions as Unjustified Attack on Iranian Rights
**Tehran, Iran** – Iran has vehemently condemned the latest round of European sanctions targeting its shipping company and other entities, calling them illegitimate and a violation of Iranian citizens’ fundamental rights. The sanctions, imposed by the EU and UK on Monday, aim to restrict the transfer of Iranian-made drones and missiles to Russia, citing their use in the Ukraine conflict.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei denounced the sanctions as based on “fake claims,” pointing to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent statement that Iran has not yet supplied ballistic missiles to Russia. While Zelenskyy acknowledged ongoing discussions regarding potential missile deliveries and confirmed Iranian involvement in drone production within Russia, Tehran denies these accusations.
Baghaei emphasized that the sanctions, including previous measures restricting Iranian airlines’ access to Europe, severely impact the basic rights and interests of Iranian citizens. He further argued that these actions contradict the 2015 nuclear deal, from which the US unilaterally withdrew in 2018.
These developments come amidst escalating tensions between Iran and the West. Iran has vowed a third major retaliatory attack against Israel following October airstrikes, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressing the importance of military preparedness as a deterrent. Separately, a video message from former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif directly addressed Jewish communities globally, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Western allies of perpetrating a “genocidal campaign.” The IAEA’s recent assessment of the nuclear deal as “an empty shell” further underscores the strained international relations surrounding Iran.
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