EU adds three Iran-linked listings under freedom of navigation sanctions

LUXEMBOURG, June 8, 2026 — The European Union on Sunday adopted a fresh Iran sanctions action through Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1225, listing two individuals and one entity under the bloc’s expanded framework covering Iran’s military support for Russia’s war against Ukraine, armed groups in the Middle East and Red Sea region, and actions undermining freedom of navigation in the Middle East.

The Council said the new designations target the Hormozgan Provincial Command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, Mohammad Akbarzadeh and Hamid Hosseini. The EU said the IRGC Navy has assumed control of the Strait of Hormuz and operates a toll system requiring vessels to provide identifying, cargo and destination information, which is then used to screen ships and decide passage, at times after payment of tolls.

According to the Council, Akbarzadeh, the IRGC Navy’s deputy commander for political affairs and spokesperson, threatened the use of missiles or drones against vessels transiting the strait. Hosseini, identified as a representative of Iran’s Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union and a member of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, was listed for promoting compliance with Iranian assessments and transit fee payments for safe passage.

The move is the first use of the EU’s broadened Iran framework since ministers agreed on May 22 to extend sanctions grounds beyond Tehran’s military support for Russia and regional armed groups to also cover actions threatening freedom of navigation, especially in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Council said the paired legal acts are Implementing Regulation 2026/1225 and Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1226, both dated June 8. Following the new listings, the amended framework applies to 26 natural and legal persons and 27 entities, all subject to asset freezes, while listed individuals also face an EU travel ban.

The action connects maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz to an EU sanctions architecture first built around Iran’s drone and military support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, showing the bloc is using one evolving legal regime to respond to both European and Middle East security threats.