UK publishes legislation introducing new sanctions on Iran, and issues related general licence

10 September 2026

The UK has published The Iran (Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 to introduce new sanctions on Iran - Ministerial Statement, Notice to Exporters.  The legislation will enter into force on 29 September. It re-introduces sectoral sanctions that had been lifted by the UK as part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action by amending the Iran (Sanctions) (Nuclear) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 and the Iran (Sanctions) Regulations 2023. For more information on the JCPOA see our Iran overview page. The main measures are listed below.

Trade Restrictions

Regulation 7 adds energy-related goods and technology, precious metals and diamonds, maritime goods and technology, natural gas, oil and petroleum products, petrochemicals, and sectoral software and technology to the list of sectors within which trade to Iran, for use in Iran, or to people connected with Iran is prohibited.

Financial Measures

Regulation 6 prohibits:

• Granting loans or credits to, starting joint ventures with, or acquiring interest in a person connected with Iran who is involved with manufacturing any goods in the list of newly controlled goods (which are now defined in Schedule 1A to 1I of the Regulations).

• Opening a bank account with, or establishing a banking relationship, with a credit or financial institution domiciled in Iran or owned or controlled by a person domiciled in Iran.

• Providing insurance or reinsurance services to a person connected with Iran or acting on behalf of such a person.

• Selling or buying Iranian bonds or bonds guaranteed by the Government of Iran and issued after 8^th September 2026.

Transport restrictions

Regulation 21 extends the UK’s powers related to ship specification and Regulation 17 allows the UK to sanction people who provide technical assistance to specified ships.  See our UK Guidance Page for more information on ship specification in the UK.

Under the Regulations the UK can specify ships when they are connected with Iran’s nuclear program or malign or destabilising behaviour. It also allows the UK to restrict the operation of specified ships, including by restricting UK port access and by detaining the ships.

Regulation 8 bans Iranian aircrafts from landing in the UK, subject to narrow exceptions.

General Licences

The UK has also issued a new General Licence to enable the continued operation of the Shah Deniz gas field, subject to parliamentary approval. The GL will authorise the provision or transfer of energy-related goods/ technology or related brokering services and the provision of financial services or funds related to the supply or transfer of energy-related goods, that would otherwise be prohibited by the new Regulations, if this activity takes place in connection with operations of the Shah Deniz project.  It has also amended General Licence INT/2025/7363752 to authorise certain financial services necessary for the Shah Deniz Project’s continued operation.

The new GL and amendments to the existing GL are scheduled to come into force on 29 September 2026. See our UK Licensing pages for more information.