EU Imposes Sanctions on Iranians for Restricting Navigation in Strait of Hormuz
EU Sanctions in Response to Strait of Hormuz Restrictions
NICOSIA, June 8 (Reuters) - The European Union said on Monday it had imposed sanctions on two Iranian individuals and a unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for threatening the freedom of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which around a fifth of the world's oil flows.
Background on the EU's New Sanctions Powers
The move marked the first time the bloc has used a new powers to sanction Iran for restricting freedom of navigation.
Entities and Individuals Sanctioned
The EU said in a written statement that it had added the Hormozgan Provincial Command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy to its sanctions list, as well as Mohammad Akbarzadeh and Hamid Hosseini.
Roles of Sanctioned Individuals
It said Akbarzadeh is Deputy Commander for Political Affairs of the IRGC Navy and Hosseini is a representative of Iran’s Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union.
Context: Iran's Actions in the Strait of Hormuz
Iran moved to close the Strait of Hormuz after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28.
EU's Official Response
"Iran's actions are unacceptable. In response member states have approved sanctions against Iranian entities and individuals involved in disrupting transit through the Strait of Hormuz," Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, said earlier at a news conference in Cyprus.
Future Application of Navigation Regime
"This is the first time the EU has applied its new freedom of navigation regime and when necessary we will apply it again," added Kallas.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Michele Kambas, Bart Meijer, Sudip Kar-Gupta and Julia Payne; Editing by Andrew Gray)