Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/262 of 29 January 2026 implementing 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,

Having regard to 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 (1), and in particular Article 7(1) thereof,

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

Whereas:

(1) On 20 July 2023, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2023/1529.

(2) In its conclusions of 21 and 22 March 2024, the European Council stated that were Iran to transfer ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia for use against Ukraine after having supplied the Russian regime with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are used in relentless attacks against the civilian population in Ukraine, the European Union would be prepared to respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners, including with new and significant restrictive measures against Iran. Moreover, the European Council stated that Russia’s access to sensitive items and technologies with battlefield relevance must be restricted to the maximum extent possible, including by targeting entities in third countries enabling this circumvention. The European Council called on the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) and the Commission to prepare further sanctions against Belarus, North Korea and Iran.

(3) On 13 September 2024, in a statement by the High Representative on behalf of the Union, the Union strongly condemned the transfer of Iranian-made ballistic missiles to Russia, considered as a direct threat to European security and as a substantive material escalation from the provision of Iranian UAVs and ammunition, which Russia had used in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. The Union would respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners, including with new and significant restrictive measures against Iran, including the designation of individuals and entities involved with Iran’s ballistic missile and drone programmes, and in that regard was considering restrictive measures in Iran’s aviation sector as well.

(4) In its conclusions of 19 December 2024, the European Council stated that the arms transfers and deepening military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK and Iran, as well as the deployment of the DPRK’s military forces to Russia and their use on the battlefield against Ukraine represent an international escalation of the war, with serious consequences for international peace and security.

(5) Russia is using Iran-produced UAVs and UAVs components in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine, which violates the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including against civilians and civilian infrastructure. The Iranian State-sponsored programme for the development and production of UAVs therefore contributes to violations of the United Nations Charter and of fundamental principles of international law.

(6) In view of the gravity of the situation, four persons and six entities should be included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2023/1529.

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 is amended in accordance with the Annex 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, 29 January 2026.

For the Council The President K. KALLAS

(1) OJ L 186, 25.7.2023, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1529/oj.