New Zealand imposes new sanctions against Russia and Iran

New Zealand has adopted another package of sanctions against Russia, accusing it of breaching the Chemical Weapons Convention, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said. He stated that Russian military personnel have unlawfully used tear gas in Ukraine. Peters also mentioned that New Zealand authorities have “received reports” throughout the year regarding the use of chemical weapons by Russian forces.

Additionally, the statement notes that alongside the anti-Russian sanctions, New Zealand is imposing restrictions on Iranian citizens who, according to Wellington, are involved in “supplying ballistic missiles and drones to Russia.”

The document issued by the country’s government states that Wellington “will join those partners who have imposed sanctions against Russia’s ‘shadow fleet.'”

Overall, the new package of restrictions will apply to one Russian citizen—Lieut. Gen. Igor Kirillov, head of the Troops of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense (RChBD) of the Land Force of Russia—and six Iranians, including Ali Jafarabadi, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ aerospace command. Furthermore, restrictions have been placed on several Russian entities, including the 27th Central Research Institute of Russia’s Ministry of Defence, Russia’s Troops of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence, as well as the command of the Russian Military Transport Aviation.