The European Union attacks Iran. New sanctions for the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz

The European Union will expand the criteria for sanctions against Iran to include persons and entities responsible for blocking the Strait of Hormuz, said two diplomatic sources in the EU on Monday, quoted by Reuters.

The decision was to be made at the level of ambassadors of the European Union member states. The new regulations are intended to enable sanctions to be imposed on persons and companies responsible for impeding freedom of navigation in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz has remained largely closed for nearly two months, which has severely disrupted global energy and raw materials markets. Iran restricted its movement after the US and Israel launched strikes on its territory on February 28. This route is responsible for transporting approximately one fifth of the world's supplies of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) in peacetime.

As Reuters recalled, several tankers have passed through the strait in recent days after Tehran briefly announced its opening, but the extension of the truce was put into question after the United States seized an Iranian merchant ship on Sunday and the US continued blockade of Iranian ports.

According to diplomats, the European External Action Service (EEAS) needs several weeks to prepare changes to the sanctions. This institution is responsible for identifying persons and companies subject to restrictions, while the European Commission deals with sectoral sanctions.

From Brussels Łukasz Osiński (PAP)

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