Home Europe Council of the European Union Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1604 of 31 May 202...
Date: 31-May-2024 Category: Not Applicable State: Union Government Country: Europe

Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1604 of 31 May 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 concerning restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region

Issued by Council of the European Union · Not Applicable

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Executive Summary & Key Takeaways

What it means

  • Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1604 implements Regulation (EU) 2023/1529, imposing restrictive measures against Iran for its military support to Russia's war against Ukraine, armed groups in the Middle East, and the Red Sea region.
  • The regulation adds six individuals and three entities to the list of those subject to restrictive measures as outlined in Annex III of Regulation (EU) 2023/1529.

Key Changes

  • Six individuals have been added to the sanctions list: Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani (Minister of Defence), Gholam Ali Rashid (IRGC commander), Hossein Hatefi Ardakani (chairperson of Kavan Electronics Behrad LLC), Mehdi Dehghani Mohammadabadi (CEO of Kavan Electronics Behrad LLC), Ismail Qaani (Commander of the IRGC Qods Force), and Afshin Khaji Fard (Head of Iranian Aviations Industries Organisation).
  • Three entities have been added to the sanctions list: Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters (KCHG), Kavan Electronics Behrad LLC, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN).
  • The listed individuals and entities are implicated in Iran's UAV program, the transfer of UAVs to Russia, and support for armed groups in the Middle East and Red Sea region.
  • The regulation amends Annex III to Council Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 to include these additions.
  • The regulation entered into force on May 31, 2024.

Impact Analysis

Impact on EU Businesses

  • Export controls related to UAV components and related technology will be further scrutinized to prevent circumvention of sanctions.

Impact on Iran

  • The sanctions may increase pressure on Iran to cease its support for Russia and armed groups in the Middle East.

Suggested Action Items

  • Consult with legal counsel to ensure full compliance with the regulation.

Key Entities Referenced

Council Regulation (EU) 2023/1529: The original regulation concerning restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region. Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani: Minister of Defence of the Islamic Republic of Iran, responsible for the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), which is involved in UAV production and sales to Russia. Gholam Ali Rashid: Commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters (KCHG), the central entity in the command chain of Iran’s armed forces, involved in UAV deployments and transfers. Hossein Hatefi Ardakani: Chairperson of the board of directors of Kavan Electronics Behrad LLC, a procurement agent for the IRGC, supporting UAV production. Mehdi Dehghani Mohammadabadi: CEO of Kavan Electronics Behrad LLC, involved in the supply of UAV items to the IRGC. Ismail Qaani: Commander of the IRGC Qods Force (IRGC-QF), responsible for transferring Iranian weapons, including UAVs and missiles, to militias in the Middle East and Red Sea region. Afshin Khaji Fard: Head of Iranian Aviations Industries Organisation (IAIO), responsible for planning and managing Iran’s military aviation industry, including UAV development. Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters (KCHG): The central entity in the command chain of Iran’s armed forces, coordinating between the Artesh and IRGC, involved in UAV transfers to Russia. Kavan Electronics Behrad LLC: An Iran-based company involved in the supply of UAV items to the IRGC. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN): Part of the IRGC, equipped with Iranian UAVs and missiles, involved in facilitating the transport of Iranian arms to armed groups. Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL): Responsible for the planning, logistics and funding of Iran’s Armed Forces. It is also a key player in Iran’s defence industry with multiple conglomerates and subordinates active in research and development, maintenance and manufacturing of military equipment, including the manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organisation (IRGC SSJO): An entity that Kavan Electronics Behrad LLC supplies UAV items to. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force (IRGC-QF): Responsible for orchestrating a network of regional militias that have aggressively expanded Iran’s military influence across the Arab world in recent decades. Iranian Aviations Industries Organisation (IAIO): Responsible for planning and managing Iran’s military aviation industry, including developing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
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Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 2024/1604 31.5.2024 COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2024/1604 of 31 May 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 concerning restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 of 20 July 2023 concerning restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities in the Middle East and the Red Sea region (1), and in particular Article 7(1) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Whereas: (1) On 20 July 2023, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2023/1529. (2) In its conclusions of 21 and 22 March 2024, the European Council stated that Russia’s access to sensitive items and technologies with battlefield relevance must be restricted to the maximum extent possible, including by targeting entities in third countries enabling the circumvention of sanctions. The European Council called on the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and on the Commission to prepare further sanctions, notably on Iran. Moreover, the European Council stated that the Union would continue to work intensely with regional and international partners to prevent further regional escalation, notably in Lebanon and the Red Sea. The European Council called on all actors, notably Iran, to refrain from escalatory actions. (3) In its conclusions of 17 April 2024, the European Council strongly and unequivocally condemned the Iranian attack on Israel and reiterated its full solidarity with the people of Israel and commitment to Israel’s security and to regional stability. The European Council called on Iran and its proxies to cease all attacks and urged all parties to exercise the utmost restraint and to refrain from any action that may increase tensions in the region. Furthermore, the European Council conclusions stated that the Union should take further restrictive measures against Iran, notably in relation to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missiles. Finally, the European Council reiterated that the Union remains fully committed to contributing to de-escalation and security in the region. (4) Russia is using Iran-produced UAVs in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine, which violates the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including against civilians and civilian infrastructure. The Iranian State-sponsored programme for the development and production of UAVs therefore contributes to violations of the UN Charter and of fundamental principles of international law. (5) In that context, six persons and three entities should be included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in the Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2023/1529. (6) Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 should therefore be amended accordingly, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 Annex III to Council Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation. (1) OJ L 186, 25.7.2023, p. 1. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/1604/oj 1/11EN OJ L, 31.5.2024 Article 2 This Regulation shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Brussels, 31 May 2024. For the Council The President H. LAHBIB 2/11 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/1604/ojANNEX The following entries are added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies set out in Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2023/1529: Persons Names (Transliteration into Latin Names Identifying information Reasons for listing Date of listing script) ‘7. Mohammad-Reza Gharaei ﯼﻥﺍﯼﺕﺵﺁ ﯼﯼﺍﺭﻕ ﺍﺽﺭ ﺩﻡﺡﻡ Position(s): Minister of Defence Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani has been the Minister 31.5.2024 ASHTIANI of the Islamic Republic of Iran of Defence of the Islamic Republic of Iran since August (Farsi spelling) 2021 and is therefore responsible for the EU-listed DOB: 1960 Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics POB: Tehran, Iran (MODAFL). Nationality: Iranian MODAFL is responsible for the planning, logistics and funding of Iran’s Armed Forces. It is also a key player in Gender: male Iran’s defence industry with multiple conglomerates and subordinates active in research and development, Associated entities: Ministry of maintenance and manufacturing of military equipment, Defence and Armed Forces including the manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles Logistics (MODAFL) (UAVs). MODAFL is also involved in the set-up of a joint plant for the production of UAVs and the sale of UAVs to Russia with the intended use in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. As Defence Minister, Ashtiani is directly involved in Iran’s UAV programme and is involved in transferring Iran’s UAVs to Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/1604/oj 3/11 OJ L, 31.5.2024 ENNames (Transliteration into Latin Names Identifying information Reasons for listing Date of listing script) 8. Gholam Ali RASHID ﺩﯼﺵﺭ ﯼﻝﻉﻡﺍﻝﻍ Position(s): IRGC commander Gholam Ali Rashid has been the commander of the 31.5.2024 of the Khatam al-Anbia Central EU-listed Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters (KCHG) a.k.a. Gholamali RASHID (Farsi spelling) Headquarters (KCHG) since June 2016. DOB: 1953 The KCHG is the central entity in the command chain of Iran’s armed forces making operational military decisions, POB: Dezful, Iran as well as coordinating between Iran’s conventional army Nationality: Iranian (Artesh) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which both procure and deploy unmanned aerial Gender: male vehicles (UAVs). Associated entities: Khatam The KCHG’s mission is to oversee offensive and defensive al-Anbiya Central Headquarters operations, including through its regional and thematic (KCHG) headquarters such as the ones in the Persian Gulf or Gulf of Oman, which report to the main headquarters. It is also responsible for planning and coordinating joint military operations, including drills. Gholam Ali Rashid has overseen UAV deployments and supervised UAV battlefield readiness in drills and exercises. Preceding IRGC and Artesh in the command chain, thereby overseeing all of Iran’s armed forces, intelligence and EU-listed Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters is at the core of Iran’s military forces and therefore involved in transferring UAVs to Russia and armed groups in the Middle East and Red Sea region. Gholam Ali Rashid is therefore involved in Iran’s UAV programme and in transferring UAVs to Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities undermining peace and security in the Middle East and the Red Sea region. 4/11 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/1604/oj EN OJ L, 31.5.2024Names (Transliteration into Latin Names Identifying information Reasons for listing Date of listing script) 9. Hossein Hatefi ARDAKANI ﯼﻥﺍﮎﺩﺭﺍ ﯼﻑﺕﺍﻩ ﻥﯼﺱﺡ Position(s): chairperson of the Hossein Hatefi Ardakani serves as chairperson of the board 31.5.2024 board of directors of Kavan of directors and is a shareholder of Iran-based and a.k.a. (Farsi spelling) Electronics Behrad LLC; EU-listed Kavan Electronics Behrad LLC. Hasan HASHEM; Hossein procurement agent for the Using a complex network of shell and foreign companies, Hatafi ARDAKANI; Hossein IRGC including EU-listed Kavan Electronics Behrad LLC, Hatfi ARDAKANI DOB: 21.9.1985 Ardakani supports the IRGC SSJO’s efforts in obtaining crucial goods for the UAV production. POB: Ardakan, Iran As chairperson of the board of Kavan Electronics Behrad Nationality: Iranian LLC, he is responsible for leading the company’s board, Gender: male defining its strategic objectives and overseeing its business, hence he is involved in transferring Iran’s UAVs to Russia. Passport number: U34290111 (Iran); Hossein Hatefi Ardakani is therefore supporting Iran’s UAV programme. He is also involved in transferring Iran’s UAVs 4449916581 (Iran) to Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine. Associated entities: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organisation (IRGC SSJO); Kavan Electronics Behrad LLC Associated individuals: Mehdi Dehghani MOHAMMADABADI ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/1604/oj 5/11 OJ L, 31.5.2024 ENNames (Transliteration into Latin Names Identifying information Reasons for listing Date of listing script) 10. Mehdi Dehghani ﯼﺩﺍﺏﺁﺩﻡﺡﻡ ﯼﻥﺍﻕﻩﺩ ﯼﺩﻩﻡ Position(s): CEO of Kavan Mehdi Dehghani Mohammadabadi serves as CEO, member 31.5.2024 MOHAMMADABADI Electronics Behrad LLC of the board of directors, as well as a shareholder of the (Farsi spelling) Iran-based and EU-listed Kavan Electronics Behrad LLC. DOB: 23.9.1982 Kavan Electronics Behrad LLC is a company involved in the Nationality: Iranian supply of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) items to the Gender: male EU-listed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organisation (IRGC SSJO). Passport number: 4433172081 (Iran) As CEO, he is responsible for managing and steering the company. As a member of the board, he is involved in all Associated entities: significant decisions the company takes. Hence he is Revolutionary Guard Corps involved in transferring Iran’s UAVs to Russia. Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organisation (IRGC Mehdi Dehghani Mohammadabadi is therefore involved in SSJO); Kavan Electronics Iran’s UAV programme. He is also involved in transferring Behrad LLC Iran’s UAVs to Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine. Associated individuals: Hossein Hatefi ARDAKANI 6/11 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/1604/oj EN OJ L, 31.5.2024Names (Transliteration into Latin Names Identifying information Reasons for listing Date of listing script) 11. Ismail QAANI ﯼﻥﺁﺍﻕ ﻝﯼﻉﺍﻡﺱﺍ Position(s): Commander of the Ismail Qaani is the Commander of the EU-listed Islamic 31.5.2024 IRGC Qods Force Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force (IRGC-QF). a.k.a. Esma’il QANI; Esmaeil (Farsi spelling) GHA’ANI; Esmaeil GHAANI; DOB: 8.8.1957 The IRGC-QF is responsible for orchestrating a network of Esmail QA’ANI; Ismail Akbar regional militias that have aggressively expanded Iran’s POB: Mashad, Iran QAANI military influence across the Arab world in recent decades. Nationality: Iranian Under Qaani’s command, the IRGC-QF facilitates and Gender: male supports unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and missile attacks by transferring Iranian weapons to militias in the Rank: Brigadier-General Middle East and Red Sea region. Passport number: D9003033; Under Qaani’s orders, the IRGC-QF enables and supports D9008347 the drone and missile attacks by Houthis. Associated entities: Islamic Therefore, in his capacity as leader of the IRGC-QF, Ismail Revolutionary Guard Corps Qaani is involved in transferring Iran’s missiles and UAVs (IRGC); IRGC-Qods Force to armed groups and entities undermining peace and security in the Middle East and Red Sea region. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/1604/oj 7/11 OJ L, 31.5.2024 ENNames (Transliteration into Latin Names Identifying information Reasons for listing Date of listing script) 12. Afshin Khaji FARD ﺩﺭﻑ ﻩﺝﺍﻭﺥ ﻥﯼﺵﻑﺍ Position(s): Head of Iranian Afshin Khaji Fard is the head of the EU-listed Iranian 31.5.2024’. Aviations Industries Aviations Industries Organisation (IAIO), a state-owned (Farsi spelling) Organisation (IAIO) company under the authority of the EU-listed Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). POB: Abadan, Iran The IAIO is responsible for planning and managing Iran’s Nationality: Iranian military aviation industry, including developing unmanned Gender: male aerial vehicles (UAVs). National ID no.: 1819457850 In his capacity as head of the IAIO, Fard has publicly promoted Iran’s UAV industry and frequently stated that Associated entities: Iranian the IAIO is actively involved in innovating Iran’s UAVs. Aviations Industries Organisation (IAIO); Ministry Therefore, Afshin Khaji Fard is supporting and involved in of Defence and Armed Forces Iran’s UAV programme. Logistics (MODAFL) 8/11 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/1604/oj EN OJ L, 31.5.2024Entities Names (Transliteration into Latin Names Identifying information Reasons for listing Date of listing script) ‘6. Khatam al-Anbiya Central ﺍﯼﺏﻥﺍﻝﺍﻡﺕﺍﺥ ﯼﺯﮎﺭﻡ ﻩﺍﮒﺭﺍﺭﻕ Type of entity: government The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters (KCHG) is the 31.5.2024 Headquarters (KCHG) ﺹ)) entity central entity in the command chain of Iran’s armed forces making operational military decisions, as well as a.k.a. Khatam al-Anbiye Central (Farsi spelling) Associated entities: Islamic coordinating between Iran’s conventional army (Artesh) Headquarters; KACHQ Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which (IRGC) both procure and deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Associated individuals: Gholam The KCHG’s mission is to oversee offensive and defensive Ali RASHID (commander of operations, including through its regional and thematic KCHG) headquarters such as the ones in the Persian Gulf or Gulf of Oman, which report to the main headquarters. It is also responsible for planning and coordinating joint military operations, including drills. The KCHG is headed by the EU-listed IRGC commander Gholam Ali Rashid, who has overseen UAV deployments and supervised UAV battlefield readiness in drills and exercises. Preceding IRGC and Artesh in the command chain, thereby overseeing all of Iran’s armed forces, intelligence and EU-listed Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters is at the core of Iran’s military forces and therefore involved in transferring UAVs to Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine and to armed groups and entities undermining peace and security in the Middle East and the Red Sea region. Furthermore, the KCHG is involved in Iran’s UAV programme. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/1604/oj 9/11 OJ L, 31.5.2024 ENNames (Transliteration into Latin Names Identifying information Reasons for listing Date of listing script) 7. Kavan Electronics Behrad LLC ﺩﻭﺩﺡﻡ ﺕﯼﻝﻭﯼﺱﻡﺍﺏ ﺕﮎﺭﺵ Address: No 63, Unit 4, Kavan Electronics Behrad LLC is an Iran-based company 31.5.2024 Shahrara, Patrice Lumumba St., procuring and selling servomotors and other components a.k.a. Kavan Electronics; ﺩﺍﺭﻩﺏ ﮎﯼﻥﻭﺭﺕﮎﻝﺍ ﻥﺍﻭﺍﮎ Abshori Sharghi St., Tehran relevant for the manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles Kavan Electronic co. LTD; (Farsi spelling) 144593491, Iran (UAVs) to the EU-listed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organisation (IRGC Kavan Electronic Company; Type of entity: limited liability SSJO) company (LLC) Kavan Electronic Sadr Aria The company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors is the Engineering Limited Liability Place of registration: Iran EU-listed Hossein Hatefi Ardakani, who oversees Company Date of registration: 13.7.2016 a transnational procurement network that spans the Middle East and East Asia, which caters for the production Registration number: 495080 of UAVs overseen by the IRGC SSJO. (Iran) Kavan Electronics Behrad LLC is therefore involved in Iran’s National ID number: UAV programme. It is also involved in transferring Iran’s 14005997725 (Iran) UAVs to Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine. Principal place of business: Iran Associated entities: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organisation (IRGC SSJO) Associated individuals: Hossein Hatefi ARDAKANI (Chairman of the Board of Directors); Mehdi Dehghani MOHAMMADABADI (CEO) 10/11 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/1604/oj EN OJ L, 31.5.2024Names (Transliteration into Latin Names Identifying information Reasons for listing Date of listing script) 8. Islamic Revolutionary Guard ﻥﺍﺭﺍﺩﺱﺍﭖ ﻩﺍﭖﺱ ﯼﯼﺍﯼﺭﺩ ﯼﻭﺭﯼﻥ Type of entity: government The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) is 31.5.2024’. Corps Navy (IRGCN) ﯼﻡﺍﻝﺱﺍ ﺏﺍﻝﻕﻥﺍ entity part of the IRGC, and includes an unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) division and a missiles division. a.k.a. (Farsi spelling) Place of registration: Bandar Abbas, Iran The IRGC Navy is equipped with Iranian UAVs and missiles Nirooy-e Daryaei-e Sepah; and engages in asymmetrical warfare methods. Date of registration: 1981 NEDSA The IRGC Navy has a Naval Academy in which it provides Principal place of business: Iran training on firing anti-ship missiles and operating UAVs. Associated entities: Islamic Iranian-backed militias and proxies are trained at the Naval Revolutionary Guard Corps Academy. (IRGC) The IRGC Navy is involved in facilitating the transport of Iranian arms, including Iranian UAVs and missiles. Those missiles and UAVs are deployed by armed groups like the Houthis and Hezbollah to undermine peace and security in the Middle East and Red Sea region. Therefore, the IRGC Navy is involved in Iran’s UAV and missile programmes and involved in transferring Iran’s missiles to armed groups and entities undermining peace and security in the Middle East and the Red Sea region. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/1604/oj 11/11 OJ L, 31.5.2024 EN

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