Iranian FM denounces EU, Britain’s double standards on arms exports

TEHRAN, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) — Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned the double-standard approach of the EU and Britain on arms exports and human rights after they imposed sanctions on Iran over allegations of supplying military aid to Russia.
Araghchi said the EU and Britain had accused Iran of supplying ballistic missiles to Russia and imposed sanctions on the country’s airlines and shipping sector without presenting any evidence to support their claims.
He made the remarks in a post on X Tuesday while citing a British media report revealing that the British government had not fully suspended export licenses to Israel and continued sending F-35 fighter jet components and other items to the country.
Araghchi said Britain continues to export these weapons while knowing that they are used by Israel in “grave violations of international humanitarian law.”
He said Britain’s justification for its continued arms exports to Israel was “maintaining ties with the United States and NATO,” noting that London’s “contradictory behavior exposes their double standards and abdication of responsibility toward human rights.”
The EU and Britain on Monday imposed sanctions against Iranian entities and persons, including the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and its Director Mohammad-Reza Modares Khiabani as well as the country’s national airline Iran Air, based on the accusation that Tehran has transferred ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine. ■