UK sanctions 3 entities and 9 individuals over Iranian hostile activity
UK sanctions teams must block newly designated Iran-linked targets immediately
Change
The UK sanctioned 3 entities and 9 individuals linked to hostile Iranian activity, applying asset freezes, director-disqualification sanctions and travel bans where specified from 11 May 2026.
Why it matters
The designations create immediate UK sanctions-control obligations for funds, economic resources and corporate-governance participation involving the listed targets. UK persons worldwide and persons within UK territory must stop prohibited dealings with funds or resources owned, held or controlled by designated persons. Director-disqualification and travel-ban measures add company-management and immigration exclusion controls for the specified individuals.
Implications
- — UK sanctions screening and payments teams must block dealings with funds or economic resources owned, held or controlled by the designated persons — making funds or resources available to or for their benefit breaches UK financial sanctions.
- — UK company secretaries and corporate compliance teams must prevent director-disqualified designated persons from acting as directors or participating in company management, formation or promotion — allowing such participation is an offence.
- — UK sanctions data teams must update list records for Berelian Exchange, GCM Exchange, the Zindashti Network and the 9 listed individuals — incomplete target data weakens screening, blocking and escalation decisions.
Who is affected
- — UK sanctions screening and payments teams
- — UK company secretaries and corporate compliance teams
- — Sanctions data and list-management teams
- — UK border and immigration officers
What to watch
- — 11 May 2026: UK asset-freeze, director-disqualification and specified travel-ban sanctions apply to the newly designated Iran-linked targets.