EU restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

SUMMARY OF:

Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 concerning restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 concerning restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION AND THE DECISION?

The legislation puts in place revised restrictive measures (sanctions) in response to Iran’s military support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

The sanctions impose:

an export ban from the European Union (EU) to Iran of components used to manufacture drones (unmanned aerial vehicles – UAVs);
a travel ban involving listed individuals and entities; and
an asset freeze against listed persons and entities involved in Iran’s UAV programme.

KEY POINTS

Export ban

The legislation bans the sale, supply, transfer or export, directly or indirectly, of goods and technology which might contribute to Iran’s capacity to manufacture drones, including:

technical assistance, brokering or other services;
financing or financial assistance; and
intellectual property rights or trade secrets.

There are exceptions where the technical or financial assistance is for non-military use and for non-military end users, including:

medical or pharmaceutical use;
as a response to natural disasters;
humanitarian purposes and health emergencies; and
to prevent a serious and significant impact on human health and safety or on the environment.

Travel ban

EU Member States must prevent the entry or transit through their territories of individuals (and their associates) supporting or involved in Iran’s UAV programme, as listed in the legislation’s annexes.

There are exceptions as follows:

Member States do not have to deny entry to their own citizens;
where Member States are bound by international law as hosts to an international intergovernmental organisation or United Nations conference;
under a multilateral agreement conferring privileges and immunities;
under the 1929 Treaty of Conciliation (Lateran Pact) agreed by the Holy See and Italy; or
where there is urgent humanitarian need.

Asset freeze

The legislation freezes all funds and economic resources owned or controlled by individuals (and their associates) or entities, as listed in the legislation’s annexes, responsible for, supporting or involved in Iran’s UAV programme. No funds or economic resources may be made available to benefit individuals or entities listed in these annexes.

Member States can authorise resources to be released if they are:

for basic needs of the individuals concerned and dependent family members, such as rent or mortgage, medicines and medical treatment, taxes, insurance premiums and utilities;
exclusively to be used to pay for reasonable professional fees, legal expenses and service charges to hold frozen funds;
for other extraordinary expenses, after consultation with other Member States and the European Commission, and with 2 weeks’ notice;
for diplomatic purposes involving immunity;
to be used to pay for claims resulting from legal decisions prior to the asset freeze, as long as they do not benefit those being sanctioned.

Individuals and entities must immediately supply any information to Member State authorities and to the Commission to assist in compliance with the regulation, including information on accounts and the amounts frozen.

Additional measures

Intentionally taking part in activities which circumvent the sanctions is prohibited.
The EU encourages non-EU countries to adopt similar sanctions in order to maximise their impact.

FROM WHEN DO THE DECISION AND REGULATION APPLY?

Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 and Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 have applied since 26 July 2023.
The decision applies until 27 July 2024 and will be kept under review, and renewed or amended, if the Council of the European Union decides that it has not met its objectives.

BACKGROUND

The additional sanctions follow concern expressed by the Council about reports in December 2022 of Iranian drones, used by Russia, being manufactured with components of international origin, including from Europe.

For further information, see:
- Iran: EU restrictive measures (Council of the European Union).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

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 (OJ L 186, 25.7.2023, pp. 20–27).

Council Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 of 20 July 2023 concerning restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine (OJ L 186, 25.7.2023, pp. 1–15).

Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

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