EU imposes sanctions on Iran over Hormuz shipping disruption

European Union member states have imposed sanctions on Iran for disrupting navigation in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, the EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on Monday, June 8.

In a post on X, Kallas said the Middle East is trapped in a cycle of peace talks and fragile ceasefires. Tehran's drones in the Strait of Hormuz have become a threat to maritime traffic. Ministers have made it clear that Iran's actions are in no way acceptable.

"In response, EU member states in Brussels today imposed sanctions on Iran for disrupting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," she said.

The EU has imposed sanctions on Iranian individuals and institutions involved in this disruption. According to an AFP report, the sanctions include blacklisting Mohammad Akbarzadeh, spokesman for the naval branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Assets of Hamid Hosseini, representative of Iran's Oil Exporters' Union, have been frozen and visa restrictions imposed.

Kallas noted that the EU has applied its new sanctions policy related to freedom of navigation for the first time.