UK enacts new sanctions on Iran, expands trade and aviation restrictions

Britain announced on Tuesday the tightening of its sanctions on Iran through new legislation that expands trade restrictions and grants authorities additional powers to target vessels, as part of measures the government says are aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear program and limiting other activities by Tehran.

The new measures restrict Iran’s access to the UK financial system, broaden the scope of trade bans to cover more goods, technologies, and services, and prohibit Iranian aircraft from landing in Britain except in specific circumstances.

The British government said the legislation is part of broader efforts to limit Iran’s nuclear ambitions, while also expanding its tools to address activities it considers hostile.

Minister of State for the Foreign Office Stephen Doughty said in a statement that the legislation “doubles down on our measures to limit Iran’s nuclear ambitions,” adding that it will help ensure Iran can never acquire a nuclear weapon.