Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/263 of 29 January 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 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
Date: 2026-01-29
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU restrictive measure, Iran, Russia, Russo-Ukrainian issue, Ukraine, ballistic missile, drone, economic sanctions, international sanctions, legal person, natural person, territorial dispute








L_202600263EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
L series













2026/263


29.1.2026







            COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2026/263
         
of 29 January 2026
         
amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 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 European Union, and in particular Article 29 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 Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 (1).












(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 the circumvention of restrictive measures. 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 components of UAVs 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 I to Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532.












(7)


Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 should therefore be amended accordingly,





HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:



Article 1
Annex I to Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.


Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.




Done at Brussels, 29 January 2026.


For the Council


The President

K. KALLAS
            





(1)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 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 (OJ L 186, 25.7.2023, p. 20, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/1532/oj).




ANNEX
Annex I to Decision (CFSP) 2023/1532 is amended as follows:






(1)


the following entries are added under the heading ‘A. Natural persons’:










 


Names (Transliteration into Latin script)


Names


Identifying information


Reasons for listing


Date of listing




‘21.


Amir RADFAR


امیر رادفر
(Farsi spelling)


Position(s): Director of Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group (SBIG)
DOB: 22.12.1971
Nationality: Iranian
Gender: male


Amir Radfar is the director of Shahid Bagheri Industrial Group (SBIG). SBIG manufactures solid-fuel ballistic missiles and is a subsidiary of the EU-listed Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO), which oversees the development and production of Iran’s ballistic missiles. Amir Radfar is therefore involved in Iran’s missile programme.


29.1.2026




22.


Hossein HEMSI


 


Position(s): CEO and shareholder of Fanavaran Sanat Ertebatat Company
DOB: 27.10.1982
Nationality: Iranian
Gender: male
National ID number: 0532987276


Hossein Hemsi is the CEO and shareholder of Fanavaran Sanat Ertebatat Company (FSE). FSE is a private company supplying critical electronic components and jam-resistance guidance systems to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organisation (IRGC SSJO) and thereby involved in Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programme.
Therefore, in his capacity as CEO and shareholder of FSE, Hossein Hemsi is involved in Iran’s UAV programme.


29.1.2026




23.


Armin Ghorsi ANBARAN


عنبران آرمین قرصی
(Farsi spelling)


Position(s): Board Member and shareholder of Fanavaran Sanat Ertebatat Company
DOB: 21.9.1983
Nationality: Iranian
Gender: male
National ID number: 0065911601


Armin Ghorsi Anbaran is a Board Member and shareholder of Fanavaran Sanat Ertebatat Company (FSE). FSE is a private company supplying critical electronic components and jam-resistance guidance systems to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organisation (IRGC SSJO) and thereby is involved in Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programme.
Therefore, in his capacity as Board Member and shareholder of FSE, Armin Ghorsi Anbaran is involved in Iran’s UAV programme.


29.1.2026




24.


Hossein BAKSHAYESH


حسین بخشایش
(Farsi spelling)


Position(s): CEO and Managing Director of Sahara Thunder
DOB: 22.5.1964
Nationality: Iranian
Gender: male
National ID number: 1189810190


Hossein Bakshayesh is the CEO and managing director of Sahara Thunder. Sahara Thunder is an Iranian import-export trading company which acts as a front company for the Iranian Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). In this capacity, it supplies unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), individual components, and related technology to Russia and receives payment from Russia for delivery of those goods and services.
As CEO and managing director of Sahara Thunder, Hossein Bakshayesh therefore supplies and is otherwise involved in transferring Iran’s UAVs to Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine.


29.1.2026’;














(2)


the following entries are added under the heading ‘B. Legal persons, entities and bodies’:










 


Names (Transliteration into Latin script)


Names


Identifying information


Reasons for listing


Date of listing




‘21.


Sahara Thunder
a.k.a. Tondar Sahara Co.
a.k.a. Tondar Sahra Private Limited Company
a.k.a. Desert Thunder Company


شرکت تندر صحرا
(Farsi spelling)


Address: No. 2, Moghadas Alley, Ghasir St., Beheshti St. Tehran, Iran
Address: Fifth Floor, No. 2, Shahid Hassan Moghadam Alley, Shahid Ahmad Ghsir Str. Argentine, Saei St. Tehran, Iran
Place of registration: Iran
Business Registration Number 94186
National ID: 10101382714
Chamber of Commerce Number:131454
Website: www.saharathunder.com



Sahara Thunder is an Iranian import-export trading company which acts as a front company for the Iranian Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). In this capacity, it supplies unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), individual components, and related technology to Russia and receives payment from Russia for delivery of those goods and services.
Therefore, Sahara Thunder supplies and is otherwise 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.


29.1.2026




22.


Fanavaran Sanat Ertebatat Company (FSE)


شرکت فن آوران صنعت ارتباطات
(Farsi spelling)


Address: Yousef Abad Neighbourhood, Kordestan Express Way, Seyyed Sohrab Akhlaqi street 37, Tehran, Iran
Type of entity: Private company
National ID: 10102884046
Business Number: 247799


Fanavaran Sanat Ertebatat Company (FSE) is a private company supplying critical electronic components and jam-resistant guidance systems to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organisation (IRGC SSJO). It is also a member of the Iranian Aviation and Space Industries Association (IASIA), which procures components on behalf of the IRGC for the manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
FSE is therefore involved in Iran’s UAV programme.


29.1.2026




23.


Pishgaman Tejarat Rafi Novin Co.


پیشگامان تجارت رفیع نوین
(Farsi spelling)


Address: Tehran Leyzan Hossein Abad Javanshir Street, Corner of Ordibehesht St., No. 10, Postal Code: 166993356, Iran
Type of entity: Private Limited Company
Place of registration: Iran
Date of registration: 10.12.2007
Registration number: 311045
National ID: 10103503385


Pishgaman Tejarat Rafi Novin Co. is a private company with links to entities involved in Iran’s missile programme. Pishgaman Tejarat Rafi Novin Co. has procured significant amounts of ammonium perchlorate, a key propellant for solid-fuel missiles, from foreign suppliers for Iran’s missile program. Pishgaman Tejarat Rafi Novin Co. is therefore involved in Iran’s missile programme.


29.1.2026




24.


Arsang Safe Trading Co.


شزکت ایمن تجارت ارسنگ
(Farsi spelling)


Address: 901, Negin Saii Tower, Vali-asr St., 14338 Tehran, 901, Negin Saii Tower, vali-asr st., 14338, Iran
Place of registration: Iran
Date of registration: 3.3.2014
Registration number: 450913


Arsang Safe Trading Co. is instrumental in aiding Russia’s acquisition of Close Range Ballistic Missiles (CRBMs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Iran through its collaboration with Sahara Thunder. The Supply, Research, and Industry Affairs Section of Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) oversees these military deals, playing a leading role in Iran's military research and development efforts.
Sahara Thunder has had time charter contracts with India-based companies 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.


29.1.2026




25.


Asia Marine Crown Agency
a.k.a. Asia Marine Crown Shipping Agency
a.k.a. Asia Marine Crown Shipping Agency Services Company
a.k.a. Taj Daryaye Asia


شرکت تاج دریای آسیا
(Farsi spelling)


Address: Unit. 7, 1st Floor, BLDG No. 21, Kar Va Tejarat Av., Vanak St., Vanak Sq, Tehran, Iran
Place of registration: Iran
Date of registration: 9.1.2019
Registration number: 10977
ID number: 14008069775


Asia Marine Crown Agency is a front company for Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). This agency has served as the port agent in Bandar Abbas, Iran, facilitating several shipments of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) parts and dual use goods for Sahara Thunder projects which provide UAVs to Russia. Sahara Thunder, another MODAFL front company, oversees Iran’s commercial activities related to the design, development, manufacture, and sale of UAVs, many of which are transferred to Russia for use in its war of aggression against Ukraine.
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.


29.1.2026




26.


Khojir Missile Development and Production
a.k.a. Khojir Missile Production Complex


 


Location: Teheran Province, Iran
Place of registration: Iran


Khojir Missile Development and Production is leading Iran’s ballistic missile programme, which is massively expanding its production capabilities. Khojir Missile Development and Production was expanded significantly in recent years to build weapons for Russia and the so-called “Axis of Resistance”. This expansion follows an October 2022 deal where Iran agreed to supply missiles 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 typesand 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.


29.1.2026’











ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/263/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)