EU extends Iran human rights sanctions regime through April 2027

BRUSSELS, March 30, 2026 — The Council of the European Union said Monday it has extended the bloc’s restrictive measures targeting serious human rights violations in Iran until April 13, 2027. The regime includes asset freezes and travel bans, as well as restrictions on exports to Iran of equipment that could be used for internal repression or telecommunications monitoring. EU persons and companies are also barred from making funds available to listed parties.

As part of the annual review, the Council said it did not renew the listing of one deceased individual. Following that change, the regime now covers 262 individuals and 53 entities.

The EU first introduced the Iran human rights sanctions framework in 2011 and has rolled it over each year since then. The Council said the bloc has sharply expanded its restrictive measures since 2022 amid growing concern over the situation in Iran.

In background language accompanying the decision, the Council pointed to a Jan. 9, 2026, EU statement condemning violence, arbitrary detention and intimidation by security forces against demonstrators, and reiterating calls for the release of those unjustly detained for exercising fundamental rights.