(1)

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

(2)

On 14 May 2024, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/1336 (2) which amended Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 and extended the scope of the restrictive measures to cover persons supplying, selling, or otherwise involved in transferring Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicles or missiles or related technologies to armed groups and entities undermining peace and security in the Middle East and the Red Sea region, or to persons, entities or bodies acting in breach of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2216 (2015).

(3)

On 11 March 2026, the UNSC adopted Resolution 2817 (2026), which affirmed its full commitment to promoting the maintenance of peace and stability in the Middle East. It also condemned any actions or threats by the Islamic Republic of Iran aimed at closing, obstructing, or otherwise interfering with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, or threatening maritime security in the Bab Al Mandab. It also affirmed that any attempt to impede lawful transit passage or freedom of navigation in these international waterways constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security and called upon Iran to refrain immediately from any actions or threats in accordance with international law.

(4)

On 1 March 2026, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a statement on behalf of the Union on developments in the Middle East. The statement noted that the events unfolding in Iran must not lead to an escalation that could threaten the Middle East, Europe and beyond, with unpredictable consequences, also in the economic sphere. It affirmed that disruption of critical waterways, such as the Strait of Hormuz, must be avoided.

(5)

In its conclusions of 19 March 2026, the European Council called for the full implementation of UNSC Resolution 2817 (2026), recalled the need to ensure maritime security and respect for the freedom of navigation and condemned any acts that threaten navigation or prevent vessels from entering and exiting the Strait of Hormuz.

(6)

On 9 April 2026, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a statement on behalf of the Union on the ceasefire agreed by the United States and Iran urging all involved to fully ensure freedom of navigation as well as free and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, in line with international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

(7)

Iran’s actions against merchant and commercial vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz as well as its imposition of a toll in exchange for transit authorisation are not consistent with the right of transit passage through an international strait connecting one part of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone and another part of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone nor with the right of innocent passage and are therefore contrary to international law.

(8)

In view of the gravity of the situation, and in response to Iran’s actions undermining the freedom of navigation, including the rights to transit passage and to innocent passage, in the Middle East, it is appropriate to introduce further restrictive measures with regard to Iran. Such restrictive measures contribute to the Union’s actions to safeguard its values, fundamental interests and security, to consolidate and support the principles of international law and to prevent conflicts and strengthen international security, in accordance with points (a), (b) and (c) of Article 21(2) of the Treaty on European Union.

(9)

The title of Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 should be amended and travel restrictions and asset freeze measures should be imposed against persons and entities responsible for, supporting, implementing or benefitting from Iran’s actions or policies undermining the freedom of navigation in the Middle East.

(10)

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

(1)

the title is replaced by the following:

‘Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 of 20 July 2023 concerning restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region as well as Iran’s actions undermining freedom of navigation in the Middle East’

(2)

Article 2(1) is amended as follows:

(3)

Article 3(1) is amended as follows: