EU reinstates sanctions on Iran following UN Security Council decision

The Council of the European Union has formally agreed to reimpose a comprehensive set of restrictive measures against Iran, targeting its nuclear proliferation activities. These sanctions, initially suspended in 2015 upon the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), are now being restored following a decisive shift at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The move comes in the wake of the UNSC’s refusal to extend the suspension of sanctions on Iran, prompted by the invocation of the JCPOA’s “snapback” mechanism by the E3 group—France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. This mechanism allows for the automatic reinstatement of sanctions should Iran be found in violation of the agreement, Caliber.Az reports, citing EU.

The reimposed sanctions encompass both those previously adopted under successive UNSC resolutions dating back to 2006, which had been automatically integrated into EU law, as well as autonomous EU sanctions. The scope of the measures includes:

Travel bans on individuals associated with Iran’s nuclear program, alongside asset freezes targeting both persons and entities. This includes prohibitions on providing funds or economic resources to those listed.

Economic and financial sanctions affecting key sectors such as trade, finance, and transport.

Trade restrictions

Beyond the existing embargo on arms exports to Iran and prohibitions on the transfer of materials and technologies that could assist Iran’s nuclear enrichment, reprocessing, and ballistic missile development, the sanctions now extend to:

A ban on the import, purchase, and transport of Iranian crude oil, natural gas, petrochemical, and petroleum products, including associated services.

Restrictions on the sale or supply of critical equipment utilized in Iran’s energy sector;

Prohibitions on the trade of gold, precious metals, and diamonds;

Controls on certain naval equipment and specific software exports.

Financial Sector Sanctions

The EU is reinstating asset freezes on the Central Bank of Iran and several major Iranian commercial banks, curtailing their access to the international financial system.

Transport Sector Measures

Additional restrictions have been placed on Iranian cargo flights, preventing their access to EU airports. Furthermore, the maintenance and servicing of Iranian cargo aircraft and vessels transporting prohibited goods have been banned.

On July 14, 2015, the permanent members of the UN Security Council—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—alongside Germany and supported by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, reached a landmark agreement with Iran. The JCPOA outlined a series of phased steps designed to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.

By Vafa Guliyeva