IRAN Air has been banned from flying over or landing in Britain in retaliation for Tehran selling Russia cruise missiles.
The sanctions slap came after Foreign Secretary David Lammy accused mad mullahs of a “dangerous escalation”.
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Germany and France also joined in cancelling “bilateral air services arrangements with Iran, which will restrict Iran Air’s ability to fly.”
There are currently a handful of direct Iran Air flights between the UK and Iran each week but they have been give 12 months notice to cease.
On Tuesday the United States’ top diplomat Antony Blinken confirmed leaked intelligence, saying ‘Russia has now received shipments of ballistic missiles from Iran and will likely use them within weeks”.
He told a press conference at Britain’s Foreign Office: “We’ve warned Tehran publicly, we’ve warned Tehran privately, that taking this step would constitute a dramatic escalation.”
Russian cargo ships believed to be used to transport the arms have also been hit with sanctions.
The Iranian ballistic missile system, which has a maximum range of 75 miles, allows Russia to target its arsenal further from the front line, he added.
Iran, as it has with previous US intelligence findings, has denied providing Russia with weapons for its war in Ukraine.
But Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said: “Iran supplying Russia with ballistic missiles to fuel its illegal invasion of Ukraine is a significant and dangerous escalation.
“We have been clear in that any transfer of ballistic missiles by Iran would face a significant response.
“Today, alongside our international partners, we are calling out this behaviour and its attempts to undermine global security.
“Iran must stop supporting Putin’s unprovoked, premeditated and barbaric attack against a sovereign democratic state. The UK will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh added: “This Government stands firmly with the people of Ukraine.
“We will continue to use every lever at our disposal to put pressure on Iran to end its support for Putin’s illegal invasion, which is why we have begun the termination of all direct air services between the UK and Iran.”
The US Secretary of State and his British counterpart will head to Ukraine tonight to discuss arming Ukraine with western missiles amid they could soon be granted permission to fire them on targets within Russia.
Speaking to media in the Foreign Office’s Locarno Suite, Mr Lammy said the visit would be critical in order to allow both men to listen to Ukrainian concerns and report back to their leaders.
“It’s hugely important that we’re travelling together to hear from our Ukrainian counterparts and President Zelensky, their assessment of the situation on the ground and their needs on the ground,” Mr Lammy told journalists.
Mr Blinken said the UK and the US would “look and listen” to Ukraine’s request to lift restrictions on firing at Russia.
They will report back to Joe Biden and Sir Keir Starmer who are due to meet in Washington on Friday to discuss the matter.
