The European Union moved Thursday to expand its Iran sanctions regime, clearing the way for penalties against individuals and entities linked to Iran’s disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Council of the European Union announced the decision May 22, saying the updated framework allows the bloc to impose travel bans and asset freezes on those listed. EU citizens and companies are separately barred from providing funds or economic resources to any listed individual or entity.
The Council said Iran’s conduct toward vessels transiting the strait is “contrary to international law” and violates established rights of both transit and innocent passage through international straits.
Thursday’s vote fulfills a political commitment EU foreign ministers made at the Foreign Affairs Council on April 21.
The sanctions framework traces to July 2023, when the EU created it to address Iran’s military support for Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Council expanded the scope in May 2024 to cover Iran’s backing of armed groups in the Middle East and Red Sea region, as well as drone and missile attacks Iran launched against Israel that April.
In March 2026, the European Council called for full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which addresses maritime security and freedom of navigation, and condemned any acts blocking or threatening vessel passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
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