On 2 February 2026, the UK sanctioned ten Iranian officials and the Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FARAJA) for serious human rights violations linked to recent and earlier protests. The measures take immediate effect and combine asset freezes, travel bans and director disqualification, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office confirmed. (gov.uk)
Those designated include Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni; police chiefs Mohammad Reza Hashemifar, Seyed Majid Feiz Jafari and Colonel Ahmed Amini; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps figures Yadollah Bouali and Mohammad Zamani; businessman Babak Zanjani; and Revolutionary Court judges Ahmad Darvish Goftar and Mehdi Rasakhi. The organisation listed is FARAJA. The government cites the use of lethal force, arbitrary detention and punitive sentencing practices. (gov.uk)
The designations are made under the Iran (Sanctions) Regulations 2023, a country‑specific regime created under the Sanctions and Anti‑Money Laundering Act 2018. These regulations entered into force on 14 December 2023 and replaced earlier EU‑exit human‑rights rules, providing the legal basis for targeted financial, immigration and director disqualification measures in relation to Iran. (legislation.gov.uk)
UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the UK and to all UK persons worldwide. An asset freeze prohibits dealing with funds or economic resources owned, held or controlled by a designated person, and bans making funds or economic resources available to or for their benefit, directly or indirectly. (gov.uk)
A travel ban requires that designated persons are refused leave to enter or remain in the UK under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971. Where director disqualification sanctions apply, a designated individual is barred from being a director of a UK company or a foreign company with a sufficient UK connection, or from taking part in company management, unless licensed. (gov.uk)
Compliance teams should now update screening against the UK Sanctions List, which replaced OFSI’s Consolidated List on 28 January 2026. The list recorded eleven additions under the Iran regime on 2 February. Firms must freeze any affected funds without delay, halt services that would make economic resources available, assess ownership and control links, and submit reports to OFSI. (gov.uk)
The action aligns with partner measures. On 29 January, the Council of the EU imposed further listings for serious human rights violations in Iran. On 30 January, the US Treasury announced additional sanctions, including against Eskandar Momeni and Babak Zanjani. G7 foreign ministers also signalled readiness to take further steps on 15 January. (consilium.europa.eu)
The FCDO links these listings to broader diplomatic activity, including support for a UN Human Rights Council special session on 23 January and the UK’s 1 October 2025 re‑imposition of UN measures following the JCPoA snapback process. Ministers have indicated continued coordination with allies should repression persist. (gov.uk)