WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Friday announced a fresh round of sanctions aimed at curbing military-related transfers between Russia and Iran.
The targets included Khazar Sea Shipping Line, an Iranian shipping company whose vessels the State Department said had made over 60 port calls in Russia in the past year. Also hit with sanctions was Grand Sea LLC, a maritime service provider in Makhachkala, Russia.
The White House said Monday that Russia was seeking to replenish its supply of Iranian-made attack drones, including drones “capable of more lethality.” National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that since August, Iran has provided Russia with more than 400 drones, many of which have been used up in Ukraine.
After initially denying the shipments, Iran acknowledged in November 2022 that it had supplied Russia with drones, but said it did so before the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Moscow denies having deployed Iranian drones in Ukraine despite extensive evidence.
In return for its support for Russia’s war effort, Iran has sought billions of dollars worth of military equipment from Moscow, Kirby reiterated on Monday, including attack helicopters, radar systems and Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft. In March, Iranian state media said Tehran had finalized a deal to buy Russian-made Su-35 fighter jets.
The sanctions Friday were coordinated with the Group of Seven, Australia and other partners. The new measures came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia on Friday before his expected trip to the Japanese city of Hiroshima to meet with G7 leaders.