Council Regulation (EU) 2024/2897 of 18 November 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 concerning restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 215 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/2894 of 18 November 2024 amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 concerning restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region (1),

Having regard to the joint proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) On 20 July 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 (2) and Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 (3), concerning restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region.

(2) On 18 November 2024, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/2894, which amended Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532. In view of Iran’s continued military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and in particular Iran’s supply of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missiles to Russia, Decision (CFSP) 2024/2894 introduces further restrictive measures.

(3) The measures introduce a prohibition on the export, sale, transfer or supply from the Union to Iran of further components used in the development and production of UAVs and of components used in the development and production of missiles.

(4) In addition, the measures introduce a transaction ban prohibiting any transaction with ports and locks that are owned, operated or controlled by listed natural or legal persons, entities and bodies or are used for the transfer of Iranian UAVs or missiles or related technology or components thereof to Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine. That includes access to facilities of the listed ports and locks and the provision of any services to vessels. An exemption for maritime safety is included.

(5) It is also appropriate to amend the listing criteria and provide for targeted exceptions.

(6) The measures provided for in this Regulation fall within the scope of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Therefore, in particular with a view to ensuring their uniform application in all Member States, regulatory action at the level of the Union is necessary.

(7) This Regulation should enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union in order not to jeopardise the effectiveness of the measures set out therein.

(8) Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 is amended as follows:

(1) in Article 2, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: ‘1.   It shall be prohibited to sell, supply, transfer or export, directly or indirectly, goods and technology which might contribute to Iran’s capability to manufacture Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or missiles as listed in Annex II, whether or not originating in the Union, to any natural or legal person, entity or body in Iran or for use in Iran. The transit via the territory of Iran of the goods and technology, as referred to in the first subparagraph, exported from the Union, shall be prohibited.’

(4) the following article is inserted: ‘Article 3ca (*1)  Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2018 on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and amending Regulations (EC) No 2111/2005, (EC) No 1008/2008, (EU) No 996/2010, (EU) No 376/2014 and Directives 2014/30/EU and 2014/53/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 552/2004 and (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EEC) No 3922/91 (OJ L 212, 22.8.2018, p. 1).’;"

(6) Article 4 is deleted;

(7) Annex II is amended in accordance with Annex I to this Regulation;

(8) Annex IV is added in accordance with Annex II to this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 18 November 2024.

For the Council The President J. BORRELL FONTELLES

(1) OJ L, 2024/2894, 18.11.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/2894/oj.

(2) Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 of 20 July 2023 concerning restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea Region (OJ L 186, 25.7.2023, p. 20, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/1532/oj).

(3) Council Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 of 20 July 2023 concerning restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea Region (OJ L 186, 25.7.2023, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1529/oj).