Date: 2026-01-29Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/262 of 29 January 2026 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
**Executive Summary**
This Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/262, dated January 29, 2026, amends Regulation (EU) 2023/1529, concerning restrictive measures against Iran for its military support to Russia's war against Ukraine and armed groups/entities in the Middle East/Red Sea region. It adds four individuals and six entities to the list of those subject to restrictive measures, as detailed in Annex III of Regulation (EU) 2023/1529. The regulation enters into force upon publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Amendment of Regulation (EU) 2023/1529:**
* Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 is amended to include additional natural and legal persons subject to restrictive measures.
* **Listing of Additional Persons and Entities:**
* Four new natural persons are added to the list in Annex III, Part A: Amir Radfar, Hossein Hemsi, Armin Ghorsi Anbaran and Hossein Bakshayesh
* Six new legal entities are added to the list in Annex III, Part B: Sahara Thunder, Fanavaran Sanat Ertebatat Company (FSE), Pishgaman Tejarat Rafi Novin Co., Arsang Safe Trading Co., Asia Marine Crown Agency and Khojir Missile Development and Production.
* **Entry into Force:**
* The Regulation shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
**Impact Analysis**
**EU Member States**
**Impact:**
Required to implement the updated list of sanctioned individuals and entities. This includes enforcing restrictive measures such as asset freezes and travel bans.
**Action Required:**
Update national regulations and enforcement mechanisms to align with the amended Regulation (EU) 2023/1529.
**Listed Individuals and Entities**
**Impact:**
Subject to restrictive measures including asset freezes and travel bans.
**Action Required:**
Comply with the restrictions imposed by the EU and its Member States.
**European Union Council:**
**Impact:**
Responsible for overseeing the implementation of the regulation and ensuring its effectiveness.
**Action Required:**
Monitor the impact of the sanctions and assess whether further measures are necessary.
**Russia**
**Impact**
Decreased access to components, weapons, and technology.
**Action Required:**
The regulation may force Russia to find alternative suppliers or technologies.
Key Entities Referenced
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/262: Implements Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 by adding entities to the list of those subject to restrictive measures.
Regulation (EU) 2023/1529: Council 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.
Ukraine: Country that is the target of Russia's war of aggression, supported by Iran.
Russia: Country engaged in a war of aggression against Ukraine, receiving military support from Iran.
Iran: Country providing military support, including UAVs and potentially missiles, to Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2026/262 29.1.2026
COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2026/262
of 29 January 2026
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 were Iran to transfer ballistic missiles
and related technology to Russia for use against Ukraine after having supplied the Russian regime with unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are used in relentless attacks against the civilian population in Ukraine, the European
Union would be prepared to respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners, including with new
and significant restrictive measures against Iran. Moreover, 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 this circumvention. The European Council called on the
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) and the
Commission to prepare further sanctions against Belarus, North Korea and Iran.
(3) On 13 September 2024, in a statement by the High Representative on behalf of the Union, the Union strongly
condemned the transfer of Iranian-made ballistic missiles to Russia, considered as a direct threat to European
security and as a substantive material escalation from the provision of Iranian UAVs and ammunition, which Russia
had used in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. The Union would respond swiftly and in coordination with
international partners, including with new and significant restrictive measures against Iran, including the designation
of individuals and entities involved with Iran’s ballistic missile and drone programmes, and in that regard was
considering restrictive measures in Iran’s aviation sector as well.
(4) In its conclusions of 19 December 2024, the European Council stated that the arms transfers and deepening military
cooperation between Russia and the DPRK and Iran, as well as the deployment of the DPRK’s military forces to
Russia and their use on the battlefield against Ukraine represent an international escalation of the war, with serious
consequences for international peace and security.
(5) Russia is using Iran-produced UAVs and UAVs components 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 United Nations Charter and of fundamental principles of international law.
(6) In view of the gravity of the situation, four persons and six entities should be included in the list of natural and legal
persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2023/1529.
(7) Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
(1) OJ L 186, 25.7.2023, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1529/oj.
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/262/oj 1/9EN
OJ L, 29.1.2026
Article 1
Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.
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, 29 January 2026.
For the Council
The President
K. KALLAS
2/9 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/262/ojANNEX
Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2023/1529 is amended as follows:
(1) the following entries are added under the heading ‘A. Natural persons’:
Names (Transliteration into
Names Identifying information Reasons for listing Date of listing
Latin script)
‘21. Amir RADFAR ﺮﻓﺩﺍﺭ ﺮﯿﻣﺍ Position(s): Director of Shahid Amir Radfar is the director of Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group (SBIG). SBIG 29.1.2026
Bagheri Industrial Group (SBIG) manufactures solid-fuel ballistic missiles and is a subsidiary of the EU-listed
(Farsi spelling)
Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO), which oversees the development
DOB: 22.12.1971
and production of Iran’s ballistic missiles. Amir Radfar is therefore involved
Nationality: Iranian in Iran’s missile programme.
Gender: male
22 Hossein HEMSI Position(s): CEO and shareholder of Hossein Hemsi is the CEO and shareholder of Fanavaran Sanat Ertebatat 29.1.2026
Fanavaran Sanat Ertebatat Company Company (FSE). FSE is a private company supplying critical electronic
components and jam-resistance guidance systems to the Islamic
DOB: 27.10.1982
Revolutionary Guard Corps Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organisation
Nationality: Iranian (IRGC SSJO) and thereby involved in Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
programme.
Gender: male
Therefore, in his capacity as CEO and shareholder of FSE, Hossein Hemsi is
National ID number: 0532987276 involved in Iran’s UAV programme.
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ENNames (Transliteration into
Names Identifying information Reasons for listing Date of listing
Latin script)
23. Armin Ghorsi ﯽﺻﺮﻗ ﻦﯿﻣﺭﺁ ﻥﺍﺮﺒﻨﻋ Position(s): Board Member and Armin Ghorsi Anbaran is a Board Member and shareholder of Fanavaran 29.1.2026
ANBARAN shareholder of Fanavaran Sanat Sanat Ertebatat Company (FSE). FSE is a private company supplying critical
(Farsi spelling)
Ertebatat Company electronic components and jam-resistance guidance systems to the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organisation
DOB: 21.9.1983
(IRGC SSJO) and thereby is involved in Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
Nationality: Iranian programme.
Gender: male Therefore, in his capacity as Board Member and shareholder of FSE, Armin
Ghorsi Anbaran is involved in Iran’s UAV programme.
National ID number: 0065911601
24. Hossein BAKSHAYESH ﺶﯾﺎﺸﺨﺑ ﻦﯿﺴﺣ Position(s): CEO and Managing Hossein Bakshayesh is the CEO and managing director of Sahara Thunder. 29.1.2026’;
Director of Sahara Thunder Sahara Thunder is an Iranian import-export trading company which acts as
(Farsi spelling)
a front company for the Iranian Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces
DOB: 22.5.1964
Logistics (MODAFL). In this capacity, it supplies unmanned aerial vehicles
Nationality: Iranian (UAVs), individual components, and related technology to Russia and receives
payment from Russia for delivery of those goods and services.
Gender: male
As CEO and managing director of Sahara Thunder, Hossein Bakshayesh
National ID number: 1189810190 therefore supplies and is otherwise involved in transferring Iran’s UAVs to
Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine.
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29.1.2026(2) the following entries are added under the heading ‘B. Legal persons, entities and bodies’:
Names (Transliteration into
Names Identifying information Reasons for listing Date of listing
Latin script)
‘21. Sahara Thunder ﺍﺮﺤﺻ ﺭﺪﻨﺗ ﺖﮐﺮﺷ Address: No. 2, Moghadas Alley, Sahara Thunder is an Iranian import-export trading company which acts as 29.1.2026
Ghasir St., Beheshti St. Tehran, Iran a front company for the Iranian Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces
a.k.a. Tondar Sahara Co. (Farsi spelling)
Logistics (MODAFL). In this capacity, it supplies unmanned aerial vehicles
Address: Fifth Floor, No. 2, Shahid
a.k.a. Tondar Sahra (UAVs), individual components, and related technology to Russia and receives
Hassan Moghadam Alley, Shahid
Private Limited payment from Russia for delivery of those goods and services.
Ahmad Ghsir Str. Argentine, Saei St.
Company
Tehran, Iran Therefore, Sahara Thunder supplies and is otherwise involved in transferring
a.k.a. Desert Thunder Iran’s UAVs or missiles or related technologies or components thereof to
Place of registration: Iran
Company Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine.
Business Registration Number
94186
National ID: 10101382714
Chamber of Commerce
Number:131454
Website: www.saharathunder.com
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ENNames (Transliteration into
Names Identifying information Reasons for listing Date of listing
Latin script)
22. Fanavaran Sanat ﺖﻌﻨﺻ ﻥﺍﺭﻭﺁ ﻦﻓ ﺖﮐﺮﺷ Address: Yousef Abad Fanavaran Sanat Ertebatat Company (FSE) is a private company supplying 29.1.2026
Ertebatat Company (FSE) ﺕﺎﻃﺎﺒﺗﺭﺍ Neighbourhood, Kordestan Express critical electronic components and jam-resistant guidance systems to the
Way, Seyyed Sohrab Akhlaqi street Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad
(Farsi spelling)
37, Tehran, Iran Organisation (IRGC SSJO). It is also a member of the Iranian Aviation and
Space Industries Association (IASIA), which procures components on behalf
Type of entity: Private company
of the IRGC for the manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
National ID: 10102884046
FSE is therefore involved in Iran’s UAV programme.
Business Number: 247799
23. Pishgaman Tejarat Rafi ﻊﯿﻓﺭ ﺕﺭﺎﺠﺗ ﻥﺎﻣﺎﮕﺸﯿﭘ Address: Tehran Leyzan Hossein Pishgaman Tejarat Rafi Novin Co. is a private company with links to entities 29.1.2026
Novin Co. ﻦﯾﻮﻧ Abad Javanshir Street, Corner of involved in Iran’s missile programme. Pishgaman Tejarat Rafi Novin Co. has
Ordibehesht St., No. 10, Postal procured significant amounts of ammonium perchlorate, a key propellant for
(Farsi spelling)
Code: 166993356, Iran solid-fuel missiles, from foreign suppliers for Iran’s missile programme.
Pishgaman Tejarat Rafi Novin Co. is therefore involved in Iran’s missile
Type of entity: Private Limited
programme.
Company
Place of registration: Iran
Date of registration: 10.12.2007
Registration number: 311045
National ID: 10103503385
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29.1.2026Names (Transliteration into
Names Identifying information Reasons for listing Date of listing
Latin script)
24. Arsang Safe Trading Co. ﺕﺭﺎﺠﺗ ﻦﻤﯾﺍ ﺖﮐﺰﺷ Address: 901, Negin Saii Tower, Arsang Safe Trading Co. is instrumental in aiding Russia’s acquisition of Close 29.1.2026
ﮓﻨﺳﺭﺍ Vali-asr St., 14338 Tehran, 901, Range Ballistic Missiles (CRBMs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from
Negin Saii Tower, vali-asr st., Iran through its collaboration with Sahara Thunder. The Supply, Research,
(Farsi spelling)
14338, Iran and Industry Affairs Section of Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces
Logistics (MODAFL) oversees these military deals, playing a leading role in
Place of registration: Iran
Iran’s military research and development efforts.
Date of registration: 3.3.2014
Sahara Thunder has had time charter contracts with India-based companies
Registration number: 450913 for the vessel CHEM, which has been used for multiple shipments of UAVs,
since 2022. Arsang Safe Trading Co. provided ship management services for
these shipments, ensuring the smooth transfer of UAVs.
As a subsidiary of MODAFL, Sahara Thunder is crucial in the design,
development, manufacture, and sale of UAVs used by Russia in the war of
aggression against Ukraine.
Arsang Safe Trading Co. is associated with Sahara Thunder and is involved in
transferring Iran’s UAVs or missiles or related technologies or components
thereof to Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine.
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ENNames (Transliteration into
Names Identifying information Reasons for listing Date of listing
Latin script)
25. Asia Marine Crown ﺎﯿﺳﺁ ﯼﺎﯾﺭﺩ ﺝﺎﺗ ﺖﮐﺮﺷ Address: Unit. 7, 1st Floor, BLDG Asia Marine Crown Agency is a front company for Iran’s Ministry of Defence 29.1.2026
Agency No. 21, Kar Va Tejarat Av., Vanak and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). This agency has served as the port
(Farsi spelling)
St., Vanak Sq, Tehran, Iran agent in Bandar Abbas, Iran, facilitating several shipments of unmanned
a.k.a. Asia Marine
aerial vehicle (UAV) parts and dual use goods for Sahara Thunder projects
Crown Shipping Agency Place of registration: Iran
which provide UAVs to Russia. Sahara Thunder, another MODAFL front
a.k.a. Asia Marine Date of registration: 9.1.2019 company, oversees Iran’s commercial activities related to the design,
Crown Shipping Agency development, manufacture, and sale of UAVs, many of which are transferred
Services Company Registration number: 10977 to Russia for use in its war of aggression against Ukraine.
a.k.a. Taj Daryaye Asia ID number: 14008069775 Asia Marine Crown Agency is involved in transferring Iran’s UAVs or missiles
or related technologies or components thereof to Russia in support of its war
of aggression against Ukraine.
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29.1.2026Names (Transliteration into
Names Identifying information Reasons for listing Date of listing
Latin script)
26. Khojir Missile Location: Teheran Province, Iran Khojir Missile Development and Production is leading Iran’s ballistic missile 29.1.2026’
Development and programme, which is massively expanding its production capabilities. Khojir
Place of registration: Iran
Production Missile Development and Production was expanded significantly in recent
years to build weapons for Russia and the so-called “Axis of Resistance”. This
a.k.a. Khojir Missile
expansion follows an October 2022 deal where Iran agreed to supply missiles
Production Complex
to Russia for its war of aggression against Ukraine.
Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Iran has sent powerful
surface-to-surface ballistic missiles to Russia, including Fath-360 Close Range
Ballistic Missiles (CRBMs). Khojir facility is used to produce various missile
types and is managed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and
Defence and Armed Forces Logistics Ministry (MODAFL). These facilities are
used to develop and manufacture advanced weapons systems, including
solid-propellant ballistic missiles.
Therefore, Khojir Missile Development and Production is supplying or
otherwise involved in transferring Iran’s missiles or related technologies or
components thereof to Russia in support of its war of aggression against
Ukraine.
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