Overview
- The UK government laid The Iran (Sanctions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 on Tuesday to expand domestic sanctions that reflect the UN 'snapback' reimposition and to codify tougher measures at home.
- The package tightens UK limits on Iran’s access to the financial system and widens trade and export bans to cover goods, technology and services tied to nuclear and weapons work.
- The regulations strengthen powers to target ships and will bar Iranian aircraft from landing in the UK except under defined exemptions, building on earlier designations of 71 Iran-linked people and entities.
- London says the step responds to Iran’s accumulation of more than 400 kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity and is intended to reduce Tehran’s ability to fund and procure materials for nuclear escalation.
- Parliamentary approval and enforcement details will determine how quickly the measures take effect and how carve-outs such as licences for the BP-operated Shah Deniz gas field protect European energy supplies while the UK coordinates with US and EU actions.