EU Sanctions Iranians Over Strait of Hormuz Navigation Threats

TEHRAN, Iran — BRUSSELS — The European Union imposed sanctions on two Iranian nationals and a unit affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, citing threats to navigation security in the Strait of Hormuz. The individuals targeted are Mohammad Akbarzadeh, who serves as deputy for political affairs in the IRGC Naval Forces, and Hamid Hosseini, a representative of the Iranian Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters Union. The Hormozgan Regional Command of the IRGC Naval Forces was also added to the EU sanctions list. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, speaking at a press conference in Cyprus, said the bloc approved sanctions on Iranian entities and individuals obstructing passage through the strategic waterway. She noted this marked the first use of a new EU mechanism for protecting freedom of navigation, adding the bloc would resort to it again if necessary. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi dismissed the move as a "political and hypocritical" step, saying Tehran would continue its policy of maintaining sovereignty over the strategic strait. The Strait of Hormuz handles approximately 20 percent of the world's oil supply. The EU's new sanctions authority against Iran was activated for the first time with these designations.