WANA (Oct 01) – The UK government has added 121 Iranian individuals and entities to its sanctions list following the activation of the snapback mechanism by the European Troika — France, Germany, and the UK — aimed at reimposing UN sanctions on Iran.

 

In an official statement issued Wednesday, the UK Treasury announced that the new listings are part of a sanctions update targeting those allegedly connected to Iran’s nuclear program. The listed individuals and entities will face asset freezes and financial restrictions, and banks and financial institutions are instructed to freeze accounts and halt all transactions involving them.

 

Targets Include the Atomic Energy Organisation, the IRGC Commanders, and the Major Banks

The sanctions include:

  • Officials and experts from the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI)
  • Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders
  • Defense-affiliated companies
  • Research centers
  • Financial institutions, including Bank Sepah
  • Nuclear-related facilities in Isfahan, Natanz, and Karaj
  • Companies such as Novin Energy and Mesbah Energy

 

The UK Treasury warned that non-compliance or attempts to bypass these restrictions may carry criminal penalties.

 

Iran Condemns Sanctions

The Islamic Republic of Iran has strongly rejected the European Troika’s snapback move, calling it illegitimate and legally unfounded. Tehran accuses the three countries of misusing the mechanism as a tool for political pressure. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful and argues that reactivating the snapback mechanism is both illegal and ineffective.

 

Background

The snapback mechanism, part of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), allows the reimposition of UN sanctions if Iran is found non-compliant. However, Iran and several legal experts argue that the UK, France, and Germany lost the legal standing to use the mechanism after the U.S. withdrawal from the deal in 2018.

UK Targets Iran 121 Individuals and Entities Sanctioned

121 Individuals and Entities Sanctioned by the UK. Social media/ WANA News Agency