Statutory guidance

Iran sanctions: guidance

GuidanceStatutory onguidance for the Iran (Sanctions)sanctions Regulationsregime, 2023. plus a summary of its purposes, scope and prohibitions.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Export Control Joint Unit, Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation and Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation
Published
15 December 2023
Last updated
1225 March 2026 — See all updates

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Iran sanctions: statutory guidance

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The Iran (Sanctions) Regulations 2023 came, fullyand intocertain forceother onregulations, 14are Decemberin 2023.force to meet the UK’s policy objectives.  

This guidancesummary assistsgives peoplea inquick implementingoverview andof complyingthe withsanctions in place under the regulations.regime. It coversis thenot prohibitionscomprehensive and requirementsis imposed,not anda providesreplacement for the statutory guidance onor bestthe practiceregulations for: themselves. 

    Summary 

    Regime is limited in scope to: 

    1. complyingsanctions withtargeting thedesignated prohibitionspersons  
    2. sanctions in respect of goods and requirements technology which might be used for internal repression   
    3. enforcingsanctions them in respect of monitoring and interception of telecommunications   
    4. circumstancessanctions wherein theyrespect doto notgoods apply and technology of strategic concern 

Designated persons  

TheseThe UK regulationsSanctions List tells you who is designated under the regime and which sanctions have replacedbeen Theapplied Iranto (Sanctions)them. (HumanA Rights)designated (EUperson Exit)can Sanctionsbe 2019.an individual, a business or an organisation.  

ThisThe statutory guidance shouldlists in detail the sanctions that can apply in respect of designated persons, including: 

  • an asset freeze on their funds and other assets 
  • making available funds or economic resources to them or for their benefit 
  • director disqualification 
  • immigration sanction (travel ban) 

Under this regime, ships that are specified can also be readsubject alongsideto moresanctions. 

Sanctioned detailedgoods sanctionsand guidanceservices 

You publishedmust bynot departmentsexport includingor theotherwise Departmentsupply or transfer to Iran or for Internationaluse Tradein Iran, (DIT),or Hometo Officea person connected with Iran certain goods in these categories (this is not an exhaustive list): 

  • internal repression goods and HMtechnology
  • interception and Treasury,monitoring throughgoods and technology
  • goods of a strategic nature 

Related financial services, brokering services and technical assistance may also be subject to sanctions. 

You must not directly or indirectly provide interception and monitoring services to or for the Officebenefit of Financialthe SanctionsGovernment Implementationof (OFSI).Iran. 

You must not make available or transfer goods or technology of strategic concern to, or for use in, Iran.

Updates to this page

Published 15 December 2023
Last updated 1225 March 2026 + show all updates

  1. Added summary of the regime's purposes, scope and prohibitions.

  2. Page has been updated for better clarity and usability. No material changes to text.

  3. Page navigation has been updated for better usability. No material changes to text.

  4. These changes reflect the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Regulations 2024 and taken together make a range of technical changes with the purpose of improving OFSI’s ability to gather intelligence on industry’s compliance with financial sanctions, strengthen OFSI’s enforcement powers, enable OFSI to conduct its licensing responsibilities more efficiently, and clarify financial sanctions legislation where there is existing uncertainty.

  5. Added the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI), the Export Joint Control Unit (ECJU) and the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) as a supporting organisation. OTSI took over civil enforcement for sanctions in October 2024. As part of these new powers, OTSI has introduced a new service to apply for sanctions licences for the provision of services, which replaces the previous process of applying via SPIRE. Applications for goods-related exports sanctions licences remain via SPIRE.

  6. This instrument amends the 2023 Iran Regulations to expand the trade sanctions against Iran, with the aim of disrupting Iran’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and missile industry. Specifically, the instrument will prohibit the export, supply and delivery and making available of additional goods and technology used by Iran to produce Advanced Conventional Weapons. The instrument also prohibits the provision of ancillary services (brokering services, technical assistance, financial services etc.) that enables the prohibited activities.

  7. Amended to include guidance on director disqualification legislation.

  8. Added wording for director disqualification sanctions.

  9. First published.

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