Today, Friday, the European Union imposed sanctions on Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani and the Revolutionary Guard in response to Tehran sending missiles and drones used against Israel and Ukraine.

The European Council, which represents member states, said in a statement that five other Iranian officials and two entities including a company that markets components of the marches have been added to the EU blacklist.

The European Union accuses these officials and entities of involvement in Iran's drone production program or of organizing and facilitating the transfer of drones and missiles to Moscow to launch its attacks in Ukraine or to "armed groups that threaten peace and security" such as the Houthis in Yemen and Lebanese Hezbollah.

The European sanctions include freezing assets in the European Union and banning visas. Payment of funds or resources from the European Union to targeted entities and individuals is also prohibited.

In April, European leaders decided at a summit in Brussels to impose new sanctions on Iran targeting producers of drones and missiles.

"Russia's access to sensitive goods and technology of interest to it on the battlefield should be as limited as possible," they said.

The statement stressed that the European Union must "continue to work intensively to prevent a new regional escalation in Lebanon and the Red Sea."

Tehran launched drones and missiles towards Israel in mid-April, in response to Tel Aviv's attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. This was the first direct Iranian attack on Israel.

In mid-May, the European Union expanded its ban on Iranian exports, including certain parts used to produce drones, to include additional components while covering missile components.

So far, the European Union has imposed sanctions on 227 individuals in Iran, in addition to 42 entities.