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3. EU Expands Iran Sanctions Over Strait of Hormuz Navigation Threats

The Council of the European Union on Friday expanded its sanctions framework against Iran to include individuals and entities involved in actions deemed to threaten freedom of navigation in the Middle East, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement, the Council said the amended legal basis would allow the EU to impose restrictive measures on those linked to Iran’s actions “impeding lawful transit passage and freedom of navigation,” including asset freezes and travel bans.

Under the new rules, listed individuals would be barred from entering or transiting through EU territory, while EU citizens and companies would be prohibited from providing funds or economic resources to them.

The decision follows a political agreement reached by EU foreign ministers during the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on April 21, amid growing concern over maritime security in the Gulf region. The EU said Iran’s actions targeting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz were “contrary to international law” and violated established rights of transit and innocent passage through international waterways.

The sanctions framework was first established in July 2023 in response to Iran’s military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. It was later expanded in May 2024 to cover Iran’s support for armed groups in the Middle East and Red Sea region, as well as its drone and missile attacks against Israel in April 2024.

The latest expansion comes as international concern intensifies over security in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route.

In conclusions adopted on March 19, the European Council called for full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817 and condemned any actions threatening navigation or obstructing vessel movement through the strait.