Iran Summons European Envoys Amid Missile Transfer Allegations and Sanctions

Iran's foreign ministry has summoned the envoys of Britain, France, Germany, and the Netherlands after accusations of transferring missiles to Russia and new sanctions. The U.S. and European countries imposed sanctions, including measures against Iran Air. Iran called these accusations and sanctions 'false and misleading.'

Iran's foreign ministry summoned the heads of the British, French, German, and Dutch embassies on Thursday, according to the Iranian judiciary's Mizan news agency. This follows accusations of missile transfers to Russia and the imposition of new sanctions.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Tuesday that Russia had received ballistic missiles from Iran and would likely deploy them in its war in Ukraine within weeks. In response, the U.S., Britain, Germany, and France announced new sanctions on Iran, including measures against the national airline Iran Air.

The Kremlin refuted Blinken's claim, calling it baseless. Iran also denied the accusations, describing them as 'false and misleading.' The sanctions, which include the cancellation of bilateral air services agreements with three European nations, were met with condemnation from Tehran. 'Following the continuation of non-constructive statements by some European parties aligned with the United States, falsely claiming interference in the Ukraine conflict and imposing sanctions on the Islamic Republic, the embassy heads of Britain, France, the Netherlands, and Germany have been summoned in Tehran,' Mizan reported.

Additionally, Iran's most senior diplomat in London was summoned by Britain's foreign ministry on Wednesday. Similarly, Iran's ambassador to the Netherlands was called by the Dutch foreign ministry, which urged for 'new, robust EU sanctions' against Tehran.

(With inputs from agencies.)