8th Sep 2026 13:39
(Alliance News) - The UK will expand sanctions on Iran to curb the country's nuclear ambitions and other hostile activity.
Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said he would introduce regulations on Tuesday reimposing sanctions that were lifted as part of 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
The measures will further restrict Iran's ability to access UK financial services; expand trade prohibitions to sectors including energy, software and gold; and enhance Britain's ability to sanction Iranian ships.
Iranian aircraft will also be banned from landing in the UK in most cases.
In a written statement to Parliament, Doughty said the expanded sanctions package "doubles down on our action to constrain Iran's nuclear ambitions".
Describing Iran's nuclear programme as "a serious concern to the international community", he said: "Through these measures, the government will uphold its commitment to ensuring that Iran is never able to acquire a nuclear weapon, and will strengthen sanctions that reduce Iranian hostile capabilities."
Doughty said the package would include "carefully-designed sanctions mitigations", including a licence to allow the Shah Deniz gas field in Azerbaijan to continue to operate.
He said this was in line with US and EU sanctions that also had a carve-out for the field.
The announcement comes as Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to reveal sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank as part of a "reset" in the UK's relations with Israel.
By Christopher McKeon, Press Association Political Correspondent
Press Association: News
source: PA
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