Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Council extends EU restrictive measures given Iran’s military backing for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and armed bodies and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region.
Why Did the EU Extend Sanctions Against Iran?
The EU Council today unfolded until 27 July 2025 the restrictive measures because of Iran’s military assistance for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region. Existing restrictive measures will persist to be inspected annually.
What Are the EU’s Restrictive Measures on Iran?
Currently, the sanctions regime involves 12 persons and nine entities. Those included are subject to an asset freeze, and the condition of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them or for their usefulness is prohibited. Additionally, a travel prohibition to the EU applies to the natural persons listed.
Why Is the EU Targeting Iran’s Military Assistance?
In its findings of 21 and 22 March 2024, the European Council called on third parties, including Iran, to instantly cease providing material support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In its decisions of 17 and 18 April 2024, the European Council restated its commitment to taking further restrictive actions against Iran, notably with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missiles. Finally, the European Council regurgitated that the EU remained fully dedicated to contributing to de-escalation and protection in the region.
On 14 May 2024, the EU Council widened the scope of the EU framework for restrictive standards because of Iran’s military support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, to obscure both drones and missiles, as well as the Iranian drone and missile programme’s backing for armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region.
Furthermore, the EU Council banned the export of further components utilised in the development and production of UAVs from the EU to Iran. On 31 May and 24 June, the EU Council documented six individuals and four entities under this framework.
How Often Are EU Sanctions on Iran Reviewed?
In 2011, the EU raised a sanctions regime against Iran in reaction to serious human rights violations in the country. The restrictive criteria have been renewed annually since then and were last unfolded until 13 April 2025. Since October 2022, given the deteriorating human rights crisis in the country, the EU has drastically expanded restrictive measures, adopting 10 packages of sanctions.
The EU has frequently condemned serious human rights breaches in Iran, including the demise in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on 16 September 2022, and the following fierce repression by the Iranian authorities of peaceful protests, which led to the loss of hundreds of lives.
