EU sanctions will continue to apply in the UK until 11pm
on 31 December 2020. This page will be updated if
legislation or guidance changes during the transition
period
Sanctions
Iran is currently subject to financial sanctions. UN and EU
sanctions under the Iran (Nuclear Proliferation) sanctions
regime are implemented in the UK through Council Regulation
(EU) No 267/2012.
Implementation date
In 2006, the UN imposed asset-freeze restrictions on those
involved in Iran’s nuclear proliferation activities or the
development of nuclear weapon delivery systems. Between
2007 and 2012, the EU implemented further measures.
Context
Asset-freeze restrictions apply to those engaged in
activity related to nuclear proliferation and related
activity, helping to prevent the activity from taking
place.
Some individuals and entities listed under this regime are
also listed under the following regimes:
If you aren’t sure where someone may be listed, you can
consult OFSI’s consolidated list of
asset freeze targets.
Legislative developments
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA)
On 16 January 2016 (Implementation Day), Iran completed its
nuclear-related commitments under the Joint Comprehensive
Plan of Action (JCPoA) and received extensive sanctions
relief. An EU Information Note provides full information on
the EU sanctions that were lifted.
As part of this sanctions relief, restrictions on financial
transfers to and from Iran were lifted. Therefore, you no
longer need to obtain prior authorisation for, or notify HM
Treasury of, transfers of funds sent to or received from
Iran.
However, some individuals and entities remain subject to
restrictive measures under Council Regulation
(EU) No 267/2012 and it’s your responsibility to ensure
you are compliant.
Some persons, entities and bodies subject to
counter-proliferation measures use ‘shell’ or ‘front’
companies to disguise the ultimate destination of goods,
funds and services. You must ensure that no funds or
economic resources are made available, directly or
indirectly, to or for the benefit of listed targets.
Iran (nuclear proliferation) – Supreme Court judgement in
Bank Mellat v. Her Majesty’s Treasury (No. 2)
On 19 June 2013, the Supreme Court found in favour of Bank
Mellat on their challenge to the Financial
Restrictions (Iran) Order 2009 (SI 2009/2725). The
restrictions in this Order ceased to have effect in October
2010.
UN Resolutions
On 20 July 2015, the UN Security Council unanimously
adopted Resolution 2231
(2015) which terminated previous resolutions on Iranian
nuclear proliferation.
EU Regulations
You can view Council Regulation
(EU) No 267/2012) on restrictive measures against Iran
(nuclear proliferation) online.
You can find the most recent amendments to the Regulation
by searching on EUR-Lex – an online
database that provides free access to EU law, international
agreements and other public documents. Just:
- enter the Regulation number into the search bar
- open the relevant page
- click ‘document information’.
UK regulations
Read more about the UK’s sanctions policy
on Iran.
Regulations which will come into force from 11pm on 31
December 2020
The Iran (Sanctions)
(Nuclear) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
