Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/648 of 16 March 2026 implementing Regulation (EU) No 359/2011 concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Iran

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) No 359/2011 of 12 April 2011 concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Iran (1), and in particular Article 12(1) thereof,

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

Whereas:

(1) On 12 April 2011, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 359/2011.

(2) On 9 January 2026, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a statement on behalf of the Union on the situation in Iran, noting with great concern the reports on casualties and condemning the use of violence, arbitrary detention and intimidation tactics by security forces against demonstrators. The statement called for all individuals unjustly detained for exercising their fundamental rights to be released immediately and urged Iranian authorities to adhere to Iran’s international obligations and fully uphold the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. It also called for ensuring the right of access to information, including by restoring access to the internet for all.

(3) In that context, and in line with the Union’s commitment to address all issues of concern with Iran, including the human rights situation, 16 persons and three entities should be included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 359/2011.

(4) Regulation (EU) No 359/2011 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 359/2011 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, 16 March 2026.

For the Council The President K. KALLAS

(1) OJ L 100, 14.4.2011, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/359/oj.