Iran is one of the most heavily sanctioned countries in the world, facing overlapping restrictions imposed by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United Nations. The country has faced an onslaught of sanctions regimes since 1979, some of which have been reimposed at various times since then. The measures target everything from its oil exports and banking system to its nuclear and missile programmes, military activities and senior officials.
UN sanctions were officially reimposed against Iran in September 2025 when France, Germany and the United Kingdom triggered the “snapback” mechanism under UN Security Council Resolution 2231. This reinstated six previous UNSC resolutions which had imposed sanctions targeting Iran’s nuclear and military programmes. Arms embargo: The UN banned the transfer of conventional arms to and from Iran.
Nuclear and uranium enrichment: A ban on the sale or supply of materials, equipment, goods and technology which could contribute to these programmes. Ballistic missiles: Restrictions on activities linked to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. Finance and trade: Asset freezes and controls on trade linked to Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes.
Targeted sanctions: Sanctions against dozens of individuals and entities involved in banned programmes. This month, the US unleashed a new set of sanctions against Iran as part of its bid to squeeze the country economically amid the ongoing war. These sanctions are enforced by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Economic and trade sanctions: A broad trade embargo banning most trade and investment. Secondary sanctions: Foreign entities which engage in trade, or in the financing of trade, with Iran in a wide range of sectors – not just energy and finance – such as digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping – face US sanctions as well. The aim is to isolate Iran from the international financial system.
Sectoral sanctions: These target specific sectors of Iran’s economy, particularly energy and shipping. Sanctions restrict the export of goods and services to these sectors by targeting entities doing business with them. Human rights and terrorism-related sanctions: Individuals and entities linked to human rights abuses are targeted, including designating members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other groups as “Specially Designated Global Terrorists”.
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