(1)

On 20 July 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 (1).

(2)

On 14 October 2024, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/2698 (2), which amended Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 and listed certain Iranian airlines.

(3)

In its conclusions of 21 and 22 March 2024, the European Council stated that were Iran to transfer ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia for use against Ukraine after having supplied the Russian regime with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are used in relentless attacks against the civilian population in Ukraine, the Union would be prepared to respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners, including with new and significant restrictive measures against Iran. Moreover, the European Council stated that Russia’s access to sensitive items and technologies with battlefield relevance must be restricted to the maximum extent possible, including by targeting entities in third countries enabling the circumvention of sanctions. The European Council called on the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) and the Commission to prepare further sanctions against Belarus, North Korea and Iran.

(4)

On 13 September 2024, in a statement by the High Representative on behalf of the Union, the Union strongly condemned the recent transfer of Iranian-made ballistic missiles to Russia, considered as a direct threat to European security and as a substantive material escalation from the provision of Iranian UAVs and ammunition, which Russia had used in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. The Union would respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners, including with new and significant restrictive measures against Iran, including the designation of individuals and entities involved with Iran’s ballistic missile and drone programmes, and in that regard was considering restrictive measures in Iran’s aviation sector as well.

(5)

Russia is using Iran-produced UAVs in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine, which violates the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including against civilians and civilian infrastructure. The Iranian State-sponsored programme for the development and production of UAVs therefore contributes to violations of the Charter of the United Nations and of fundamental principles of international law.

(6)

The Iranian missile programme, which is based on state-owned as well as private companies and benefits from domestic research capabilities, is run by the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics of Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, both of which are subject to Union restrictive measures.

(7)

The transfer of Iranian-made UAVs and missiles and related technologies and components thereof to Russia and to non-state armed groups in the Middle East and beyond is a central issue of concern. Iran has transferred Iranian-made UAVs and missiles and related technologies and components thereof to Russia, including by using vessels and ports.

(8)

In view of the gravity of the situation, and in response to Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, in particular Iran’s supply of UAVs and missiles to Russia, which undermines peace and security and is a direct threat to European security, it is appropriate to introduce further restrictive measures. Those measures will be kept under review and may be suspended or withdrawn, or be supplemented by other restrictive measures, in light of developments on the ground.

(9)

In that context, one person and four entities should be included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex I to Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532.

(10)

It is appropriate to amend the listing criteria and to provide for certain targeted exceptions from the asset freeze.

(11)

Furthermore, it is appropriate to prohibit the export, transfer, supply or sale from the Union to Iran of components used in the development and production of missiles.

(12)

It is also appropriate to prohibit the export, transfer, supply or sale from the Union to Iran of further components used in the development and production of UAVs.

(13)

It is appropriate to prohibit the engagement in any transaction directly or indirectly with ports and locks, including access to their facilities or the provision of any services, that are owned, operated or controlled by natural or legal persons, entities and bodies listed in this Decision or that are used for the transfer of Iranian UAVs or missiles or related technology or components thereof to Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine. Furthermore, it is appropriate to clarify the scope of the port access ban for vessels and to add an exemption.

(14)

In that context, two ports should be included in the list of ports and locks set out in Annex II to Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532.

(15)

Further action by the Union is needed in order to implement certain measures.

(16)

Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

in Article 1, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

(2)

the following article is inserted:

(3)

in Article 2, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

(4)

Article 3 is amended as follows:

(5)

the Annex is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision;

(6)

Annex II is added in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.