The EU has imposed sanctions on two individuals and one entity linked to Iran over actions it says threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The measures were adopted under an expanded EU legal framework that targets those involved in Iranian actions and policies seen as endangering shipping in the Middle East, the Council of the EU announced on Monday.
The entity listed is the Hormozgan Provincial Command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN), which the EU has already listed.
Vessels are required to provide identifying documents along with cargo and destination information, which is passed to the Hormozgan Provincial Command.
That command then screens vessels and decides which are allowed to transit the strait, sometimes after tolls are paid.
The Council also listed Mohammad Akbarzadeh, the deputy commander for political affairs of the IRGC Navy and a spokesperson for the organisation.
The IRGC Navy enforces a toll system and has threatened, harassed and attacked multiple commercial vessels in the region.
Akbarzadeh has threatened to use missiles or drones against vessels transiting the strait.
Asset freeze and travel ban
Hamid Hosseini was also listed. He is described as a representative of Iran’s Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union and a member of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, according to the Council.
In that role, Hosseini has promoted a policy under which ships submit to assessment and pay transit fees to Iranian authorities for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Those listed are subject to an asset freeze and cannot be provided with funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly. Individuals listed are also subject to a travel ban to the EU.
With the latest additions, restrictive measures under the amended framework now apply to 26 people.
