Minister of State (FCDO) (): Today we are laying
legislation which will tackle Iranian nuclear activity and other
hostile Iranian activity.
The lack of transparency around Iran's nuclear programme has long
posed a serious threat to international peace and security. We
have repeatedly seen Iran not act in good faith to address these
concerns. For over two decades, the international community has
sought clarity and assurance about the nature of Iran's nuclear
programme. Iran has expanded its nuclear programme in ways that
lack any credible civilian justification. This includes Iran's
accumulation of over 400kg of uranium enriched to 60%. Iran is
the only country without nuclear weapons to enrich uranium to
this level.
The UK complied with its UN obligations to implement the snapback
of UN Iran sanctions on 1 October 2025 when the Iran (Sanctions)
(Nuclear) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 came into force.
The UK went further and designated 71 individuals and entities in
sectors that have links to Iran's nuclear programme, including
financial institutions and energy companies.
As my predecessor set out in a written ministerial statement to
the House of 13 October 2025, and also in their oral statement to
the House on 13 January 2026, the UK will now introduce
legislation to impose further sectoral measures on Iran. Today, I
am laying in the House The Iran (Sanctions) (Amendment)
Regulations 2026', through which the Government is amending both
The Iran (Sanctions) Regulations 2023 and The Iran (Sanctions)
(Nuclear) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
These Regulations introduce sectoral measures which are broadly
those lifted as part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Today's legislation therefore doubles down on our action to
constrain Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Financial measures will further reduce the Government of Iran's
ability to access the UK financial system and raise funds in
support of its nuclear programme. Trade prohibitions against Iran
are expanded under this legislation to additional goods,
technology and services, including those key to significant
industries contributing to Iranian nuclear escalation, such as
energy, software, metals, gold, and related activities such as
shipping, insurance and banking. The export of additional goods
and technology key to Iran's conventional weapons and nuclear
capabilities are also prohibited. In addition, to bolster our
existing designations and the termination of our bilateral air
services arrangements in 2024, Iranian aircraft will be
prohibited from landing in the UK unless certain exemptions
apply.
The legislation will further expand our powers to sanction ships
strengthening our ability to target ships enabling and
facilitating Iran's nuclear programme and malign and
destabilising behaviour.
As part of the UK's responsible approach to the use of sanctions,
this legislation (like all sanctions legislation) includes
carefully-designed sanctions mitigations.
This will include general licences to enable the continued
operation of the Shah Deniz gas field in Azerbaijan, which
provides critical energy supplies to our European partners. This
is a continuation of long-standing policy and aligns us with the
EU and US who have similar carveouts for activities related to
Shah Deniz.
Through these measures, the Government will uphold its commitment
to ensuring that Iran is never able to acquire a nuclear weapon,
and will strengthen sanctions that reduce Iranian hostile
capabilities.
Iran's nuclear programme has long been a serious concern to the
international community. Iran remains in significant
non-compliance with their international safeguards obligations.
A negotiated outcome is the only long-term solution to the threat
posed by Iran's nuclear programme. We remain fully committed to a
lasting and sustainable diplomatic solution that ensures Iran
never develops a nuclear weapon.
