Switzerland imposes sanctions against Iran amidst its support for Ukraine
Switzerland says it has approved the new European Union sanctions against an Iranian firm and three top army members for favoring the Russian war against Ukraine.
The measures, against the company Shahid Aviation Industries and three senior military officers, are due to come into force later on Tuesday following a decision by the economics ministry, according to a statement by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
Shahid Aviation Industries is a company affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ aerospace forces that is responsible for the design and development of the Shahid series of Iranian drones, according to SECO. These have been provided to Russia and are being used in the war against Ukraine, it says.
Tehran has repeatedly refused the accusation. Entry bans and assets frozen. The people targeted by the sanctions are the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, as well as General Sayed Hojatollah Qureishi and Brigadier General Saeed Aghajani.
They are subject to entry bans. In addition, no more business may be done with them, and any assets they may have in Switzerland will be frozen. But critics say the sanctions are largely symbolic.
Russia had recently attacked Ukraine several times with GPS-guided Iranian-made Shahid 136 combat drones. Experts say the drones can fly up to 1,500 miles from trucks launched outside Ukraine and are believed to have been deployed across the country since August.
Switzerland imposes sanctions against Iran amidst its support for Ukraine
Switzerland is not a partner of the EU but it agreed to take over in principle sanctions by the 27-nation bloc following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
