News - Middle East: Iran’s Foreign Ministry has summoned the British chargé d'affaires in protest against London's sanctions against the Islamic Republic's shipping company.

The European Union and Britain on Monday imposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and several other entities and individuals over accusations of supplying ballistic missiles to Russia.

Acting in parallel, Britain also announced sanctions against Iran, freezing the assets of IRISL and national airline Iran Air over the same allegation.

In response, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the measure, calling it against international law, and also a violation of the freedom of navigation and maritime trade.

On Tuesday night, Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned the UK chargé d’affaires and told him that Iran would respond to these irrational behaviors.

This British diplomat was told that Iran's legitimate and legal cooperation with other countries in the fields of defense and security is not against any third party and that the illegal interference of certain European countries, including the UK, in Iran's defense cooperation with other countries is not acceptable in any way.

The Foreign Ministry called the British move contrary to international law and violated the principle of freedom of navigation and maritime trade.

In his message on Tuesday, the Iranian foreign minister highlighted the hypocrisy inherent in the UK government's approach to international arms trade and the issue of human rights.

Abbas Araghchi drew attention to reports by the British media that the UK government is fully aware that the weapons it sends to Israel, including components for F-35 fighter jets, are being used against civilians in violations of international humanitarian law.

The UK continues to export advanced weaponry to Israel to avoid any friction in its relations with the United States and the NATO military alliance, the top diplomat noted.

Britain’s newly-elected Labour government has argued before the court that a complete arms ban on Israel would damage London’s diplomatic relations with Washington.

 Source: Press TV