Official Gazette Notification Text
Official TranscriptOfficial 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...
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.
ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/262/oj 3/9 OJ L,
29.1.2026 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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ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/262/oj EN OJ L,
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
ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/262/oj 5/9 OJ L,
29.1.2026 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 6/9
ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/262/oj EN OJ L,
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.
ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/262/oj 7/9 OJ L,
29.1.2026 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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ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/262/oj EN OJ L,
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.
ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/262/oj 9/9 OJ L,
29.1.2026 EN