EU foreign ministers will discuss today slapping Iran with new sanctions over its deadly crackdown on protests and support for Russia in Ukraine, member state Lithuania said.

“We will be suggesting additional (Iranian) listings that could be added... to the sanctions list. It would have two parts - for Iranian participation in the war on Russia’s side in Ukraine, but also for the human rights abuses that are happening in the cities of Iran”, - said Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis.

Transfers of drones from Iran to Russia would also be discussed. Kyiv and its Western allies have accused Russia of using Iranian-made drones in recent weeks to carry out attacks in Ukraine.

Last weekend, Iran admitted for the first time that it sent drones to Russia but insisted they were supplied to its ally before Moscow invaded Ukraine.

The EU is also seeking to confirm reports that Iran had transferred missiles to Russia to be used in Ukraine, the official said.