Switzerland adds Iran oil, nuclear and cyber sanctions targets

BERN, August 18, 2026 — Switzerland expanded its Iran sanctions list to cover an oil-linked businessman, a major energy group and a hacker tied to cyberattacks, while removing six individuals associated with military, drone and missile activity.

The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, or SECO, listed Iranian businessman Ali Ansari over support for the Iranian government. His designation cites the use of foreign banking channels to transfer funds abroad, including money originating from Iranian oil sales, and the acquisition of assets for people connected to Iran’s leadership.

MAPNA Group was added for its role in Iran’s energy, oil and gas sector. The group contributes to oil revenues through work involving gas and oil fields and supports proliferation-sensitive nuclear activity, the listing says. SECO included registration, national identification and economic-code data that may help distinguish the company in sanctions screening.

Nima Salehi, an Iranian hacker and computer engineer, was listed under measures addressing serious human rights violations. He was identified as a founder and leading figure in the Ashiyane cyber group, which the action links to attacks against domestic opponents, reformists and foreign institutions.

SECO also amended the entry for the Research Centre for Explosion and Impact, known as METFAZ. Its listing links the organization to detonation technology and support for Iran’s proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities. The extracted source does not clearly identify the precise data changed.

Six individuals were removed across two sanctions categories. They included two former listed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders and four people previously linked to Iran’s drone or missile programs and weapons transfers.

The relevant provisions include financial sanctions and a ban on honoring certain claims. Individual entries in two of the affected categories are also subject to entry and transit restrictions. The additions, amendment and removals change the identifying and status data used to screen parties under Switzerland’s Iran measures.