EU updates Iran sanctions list, removes eight entries
The European Union amended its Iran sanctions regime by removing six individuals and two entities from Annex IX of Regulation (EU) No 267/2012 and updating five existing entries. The changes take effect the day after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
BRUSSELS, March 30, 2026 — The Council of the European Union adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/775 amending Annex IX to Regulation (EU) No 267/2012 concerning restrictive measures against Iran. The measure removes six individuals and two entities from the annex and replaces five existing entries.
Under the section covering persons and entities involved in nuclear or ballistic missile activities and those providing support to the Government of Iran, the Council deleted the entries for Dr. Hoseyn Faqihian, Said Esmail Khalilipour and Behzad Soltani, as well as Assa Corporation and Assa Company Ltd. It also replaced the entries for Ali Reza Khanchi, EMKA Company and the Central Bank of Iran.
The updated entry for Khanchi identifies him as a nuclear scientist affiliated with the Iranian Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, which the regulation describes as an EU-listed research body affiliated with the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran. The revised EMKA entry says the company is active in Iran's nuclear industry and cites its role in exploration, mining and mineral processing within the nuclear fuel cycle, as well as a 2023 cooperation agreement to construct an accelerator.
The revised Central Bank of Iran entry states that the bank provides financial support to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the regulation says is engaged in Iran's nuclear and missile programs, and that it provides financial services to the Government of Iran.
In the section concerning Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, the Council removed Mohammad Hossein Dajmar, Naser Bateni and Gholam Hossein Golparvar. It also replaced the entries for Good Luck Shipping Company and Hafiz Darya Shipping Lines, or HDSL. The regulation says Good Luck Shipping provides shipping and logistical services to HDSL and Petrochemical Commercial Company, while HDSL acts as a shell company for IRISL and owns or operates vessels for which IRISL is identified as the beneficial owner.
The regulation was adopted on March 30, 2026, and published in the Official Journal on March 31, 2026. Under Article 2, it enters into force on the day following publication.
Regulatory Actions
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