U.K. Reimposes Sectoral Sanctions on Iran, Affecting Aviation and Shipping Industries
The United Kingdom’s Iran (Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 reimpose sectoral sanctions broadly corresponding to measures previously lifted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) following the United Nations sanctions snapback in October 2025.
What the Regulations Cover
Two key concepts run through the measures: a “designated person” is an individual or entity listed on a United Kingdom sanctions list; a “specified ship” is a vessel that the Secretary of State has identified (generally by International Maritime Organization (IMO) Number) as being involved in, or likely to be involved in, relevant activity. Different prohibitions are attached to each.
The regulations prohibit providing brokering, chartering, crewing, financial, operating or technical services in relation to a specified ship. They also prohibit providing services connected with the acquisition, sale, transfer or supply of a specified ship, and procuring services relating to such a ship. Port Access and Detention: Specified ships – and ships owned, controlled, chartered or operated by designated persons – are prohibited from entering U.K. ports and may be subject to movement, detention or port-barring directions.
Vessel Specification Powers
The Secretary of State may “specify” a ship (generally by IMO Number) when there are reasonable grounds to suspect involvement in relevant activities, including nuclear-related activity, sanctions evasion, serious human rights violations in Iran, hostile activity by the Iranian government or its proxies, and carriage of Iranian-origin oil, petroleum products or natural gas (including certain third-country movements and ship-to-ship transfers).
Chartering and Operating Ban
It is prohibited to charter or operate a specified ship if the person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect the ship is specified (unless licensed or excepted). Maritime Services Ban: The regulations prohibit providing brokering, chartering, crewing, financial, operating or technical services in relation to a specified ship. They also prohibit providing services connected with the acquisition, sale, transfer or supply of a specified ship, and procuring services relating to such a ship.
Registration Ban
U.K. registration must be refused for specified ships and ships owned, controlled, chartered or operated by designated persons. The Secretary of State may also direct termination of an existing registration.
Oil/Gas Vessels and Technical Assistance
It is prohibited to make vessels designed or modified for transporting or storing oil and petroleum products available to a person connected with Iran. Technical assistance relating to tankers and cargo vessels for Iran-connected persons, and to ships generally for designated persons, is also restricted.
Original Article: U.K. Reimposes Sectoral Sanctions on Iran, Affecting Aviation and Shipping Industries — Hklaw