The European Union has decided to impose new sanctions on individuals and entities linked to disruptions of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Two EU diplomats confirmed the decision, saying member state ambassadors reached a political agreement to revise existing sanction criteria. This change will allow the EU to target those responsible for restricting freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway. The European External Action Service is expected to prepare a list of sanctioned parties within the coming weeks.

The move follows heightened tensions since Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz on February 28, after the outbreak of conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The closure halted about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, causing major market instability. The EU had previously designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization in January and sanctioned several Iranian officials in March over human rights violations.

The new sanctions are expected to increase international pressure on Tehran as regional stability remains fragile following renewed maritime incidents and a temporary reopening of the strait.