EU-sanctioned Iranian general tells 27 to buy coal with frozen assets

An Iranian general sanctioned by the European Union for allegedly supplying drones to Russia has taunted the EU by telling it to use its frozen assets to "

" for heating this winter, local media reported.

Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri is among three Iranian military officials who were placed on the list of those sanctioned by the EU and the UK on Thursday.

EU sanctions, a mistake

kyiv and its Western allies accuse Moscow of using Iranian-made drones in attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks.

Tehran denies supplying Moscow with weapons that would be used in its war with kyiv.

Read alsoThe Europeans are preparing to draw yet another round of sanctions against Russia

"

," he said. said Mohammad Hossein Bagheri in a message published by local media, including Tasnim and Fars news agencies on Sunday.

The war in Ukraine has sent energy prices skyrocketing as Russia suspended gas supplies to most of Europe in response to Western sanctions against Moscow.

In the eyes of Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, the EU sanctions are a "

" similar to those of the United States which also sanctioned him in 2019. In September, Kiev decided to drastically reduce its diplomatic relations with Tehran because alleged arms deliveries to Moscow.