New Wave of EU Sanctions Against Iran

Jan. 30, 2026 – On 29 January 2026, the European Union (EU) designated several Iranian individuals and entities responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran in response to the ongoing violent repression of peaceful protests unfolding throughout the country. The move follows a 9 January 2026 statement by Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, condemning the deliberate use of violence and arbitrary detention by Iranian authorities to suppress political dissidents and human rights defenders’ voices.

The newly designated individuals and entities include top political and judicial officials, including Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Prosecutor General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad, and entities that are involved in censoring activities, misinformation, and the widespread disruption of access to information, including blocking internet access throughout the crackdown.

In parallel, the EU also designated several Iranian individuals and entities as part of its dedicated sanctions program established to counter Iran’s military support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The designations based on this program specifically target individuals and entities that are involved in the pursuit of Iran’s ballistic missile and drone programs. Finally, the EU also expanded the list of components used for the development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and missiles that may not be exported to Iran.

This situation will continue to evolve, as the EU Member States have also announced having unanimously agreed to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. The inclusion on the EU terrorist list means that dealings with this organization will be subject to anti-terrorism regulations and sanctions (including criminal liability).

Designations Based on Serious Human Rights Violations in Iran (Regulation 359/2011)

The EU added 15 individuals and six entities to its list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies identified as being responsible for serious violations of human rights in Iran. These new designations bring the total number of persons targeted by the EU’s restrictive measures targeting Iran to 247 individuals and 50 entities.

• 13 of the new designations target members of Iran’s law enforcement authorities, armed forces, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps involved in the systematic and violent repression of peaceful protests, acts of torture, killings and death sentences to intimidate and suppress political dissidence.
• In addition, six entities and two individuals are identified as being organizers, participants or supporting tools enabling Iran’s censorship, disruption of access to the internet, mass surveillance, as well as cyber-attacks and disinformation.

The designated individuals and entities are now subject to an asset freeze and a prohibition for EU operators from making funds and economic resources available to them. Circumvention of these restrictions is also prohibited.

Designations Based on Iran’s Support of Russia’s War Against Ukraine (Regulation 2023/1529)

The EU designated four individuals and six entities to its list of persons identified as being responsible for, supporting, or involved in Iran’s state-sponsored ballistic missile and UAV programs. The total number of persons designated based on this sanctions program is now 24 individuals and 26 entities.

In short, the new designations target individuals identified as directors, board members or shareholders of key companies of Iran’s military and industrial complex, and private and public entities involved in the production, development and transfer of UAVs, and related technologies or components in support of the enhancement of Russia’s military capacities.

Likewise, the designated individuals and entities are now subject to an asset freeze and a prohibition from making funds and economic resources available. In addition, it is prohibited to knowingly and intentionally engage in any activity that has the object or effect of circumventing these restrictive measures.

Extension of List of Goods and Technologies Contributing to Iran’s UAV Program

The EU is seeking to further curtail Iran’s UAV program that is known to be supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine, by extending the list of goods and technologies, subject to export restrictions to Iran. The newly added items notably include special materials, materials‑processing equipment, and electronics used for testing, development and production.

The prohibition applies to both direct and indirect sales, supplies, transfers, or export of the listed goods and technologies to Iran or for use in Iran, whether or not originating in the EU, as well as to the transit of these items through the territory of Iran.

National Competent Authorities (NCA) may by way of derogation authorize the sale, supply, transfer or export of such goods and technologies when necessary for medical or pharmaceutical purposes, or for broad humanitarian purposes.