The European Union sanctioned Iranian military entities and individuals on June 8, 2026, marking the first time the bloc has deployed its newly created freedom of navigation sanctions regime. The targets: the Hormozgan Provincial Command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, along with two individuals, Mohammad Akbarzadeh and Hamid Hosseini, accused of disrupting maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply.
What the sanctions actually do
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed the measures received unanimous backing from all member states.
The sanctions represent the inaugural use of a framework the EU adopted specifically to protect freedom of navigation and maritime trade routes.
