Iran and the EU
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EU and Iranian flags
What is the status of EU-Iran relations?
The EU does not have a diplomatic representation in Iran, and it is therefore represented by the EU Member State holding the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU.
In line with the Conclusions on Iran of December 2022, the EU has pursued a balanced and comprehensive approach with Iran, mobilising and calibrating all options at its disposal, from diplomatic engagement to restrictive measures (sanctions). Over the last years, EU-Iran relations have been significantly affected by several critical concerns, including the nuclear issue, Iran’s military support to Russia and its destabilising activities in the Middle East as well as transnational repression and hybrid threats on European soil, and increasingly by the alarming human rights situation in the country and the arbitrary detention of EU citizens.
Aggravating human rights situation in Iran and brutal repression of protests
In 2011, the EU established a dedicated legal framework in response to serious human rights violations in Iran, which has been regularly updated since then. Since October 2022, in view of the deteriorating human rights situation after the killing of Mahsa Amini and the repression of the protests by Iranian authorities, the EU has drastically increased sanctions under this regime.
The EU also reacted strongly to the brutal repression of nationwide protests in Iran in January 2026, condemning the use of violence by security forces which had left thousands of peaceful protesters dead, as well as the communication blackout imposed by authorities. The Foreign Affairs Council on 29 January reached a political agreement to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)as a terrorist organisation, and imposed new restrictive measures on individuals and entities directly involved in the repression.
The EU continues to urge authorities to free all those unjustly detained for exercising their legitimate rights, and to adhere to Iran's international obligations and fully uphold the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. The EU condemns the continuing rise of executions in Iran, in particular as a means of suppressing internal dissent, and urges Iranian authorities to pursue a consistent policy towards the abolition of capital punishment. The EU supports accountability for human rights violations in Iran, including through the work of the UN Fact Finding Mission and the Special Rapporteur for human rights in Iran.
Nuclear issue
The European Union’s constant and firm position is that Iran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon, and recalled Iran's commitments in that respect as well as its international obligations.
For over ten years, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran Nuclear deal, has been a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, as well as an achievement of multilateralism and nuclear diplomacy led by the European Union. The JCPoA and UNSCR 2231 (2015) had established a framework that not only aimed to ensure that the Iranian programme remains exclusively peaceful but also put in place an effective monitoring and verification system conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). As coordinator of the Joint Commission, amid increasing challenges, the successive EU High Representatives have led the work to oversee implementation of, and preserve the JCPOA, including after the withdrawal of the United States from the JCPOA (2018). The EU has spared no effort to preserve this framework in the interest of international peace and security.
Sanctions
On 28 September 2025, the UN Security Council has re-imposed all nuclear-related UN and EU sanctions and restrictions against Iran that had been terminated under the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 which had followed and endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA). As a consequence, all related UN Security Council Resolutions in force prior to the JCPOA have been re-instated in the same manner as they applied before the adoption of resolution 2231. This followed the invoking of the snap back mechanism by France, Germany and the UK (E3) who notified the UNSC on 28 August of Iran’s significant non-compliance of its commitments under the JCPoA. All UN Member States have the obligation to implement the reinstated UN sanctions, which cover three main categories: (i) the nuclear programme itself, which would again be under a binding obligation to suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities; (ii) Iran’s ballistic missile and military capabilities; and (iii) financial and economic restrictions.
The European Union proceeded to implement the re-imposition of all previously lifted UN and EU nuclear-related sanctions. The latter include: (i) travel bans for individuals, asset freezes for individuals and entities and, in line with this, the prohibition on making funds or economic resources available to those listed; (ii) economic and financial restrictions, covering the trade, financial and transport sectors.
The reimposition of sanctions and nuclear restrictions must not be the end of diplomacy with Iran on the nuclear issue, which remains a key challenge to regional and international security. The Council of the EU has invited the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to continue to support political and diplomatic efforts to find a negotiated solution in line with the provisions of the reinstated UN Security Council resolutions.
Other international security concerns
The EU strongly condemns Iran’s military support to Russia, viewing transfers of UAVs, missiles and related technology as a direct and major threat to European and international security and material escalation of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.
In July 2023, the Council established a dedicated framework for restrictive measures in view of Iran's military support to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The Council also decided the prohibition on the export, sale, transfer or supply from the EU to Iran of further components and technologies used in the development and production of UAVs and missiles.
Iran’s destabilising policies also impact the security situation in the Middle East. The EU supports engagement with Iran with a view to de-escalate regional tensions as affirmed in the EU Joint Communication on the Partnership with the Gulf. The EU remains strongly committed to peace, security and stability in the Middle East urging all parties to abide by international law, show restraint, and refrain from taking action which could lead to a new escalation.
In May 2024, the legal framework in response to Iran's involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine was broadened, in view of Iran’s military support of armed groups in the Middle East and Red Sea region and of the drone and missile attacks Iran carried out against Israel in April 2024.
Cooperation and humanitarian aid
A Multiannual Indicative Plan (MIP), document programming EU development assistance in Iran was discontinued in 2022, due to the brutal repression of protests in 2022 as well as other EU concerns.
Nonetheless, the EU remains committed to supporting the population and civil society organisations through various projects. The EU also supports persons belonging to vulnerable groups, including Afghan refugees, with humanitarian assistance, through collaboration with International Organisations and NGOs.
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