meta_id 3143138

On May 11, 2026, the United Kingdom announced a new package of sanctions targeting organisations and individuals enabling hostile Iranian activity. The Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced the measures in response to Iranian threats to UK national security, regional stability, and the global economy. The sanctions target three organisations: Berelian Exchange, GCM Exchange, and The Zindashti Network. Seven individuals are subject to travel bans, asset freezes, and director disqualification: Mansour Zarringhalam, Nasser Zarringhalam, Ekrem Abdulkerym Oztunc, Nihat Abdul Kadir Asan, Reza Hamidiravari, and Namiq Salifov. A further three individuals—Fazlolah Zarringhalam, Pouria Zarringhalam, and Farhad Zarringhalam—are subject to asset freezes and director disqualification. The measures address illicit finance flows enabling the Iranian regime to pursue destabilising action across the Middle East, including its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and target criminal proxies acting on behalf of the Iranian state to threaten the US and Europe. The sanctions are coordinated with European Union action and build on previous UK sanctions, which include over 550 designations on Iranian individuals and organisations, including the entirety of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and over 90 sanctions in response to human rights violations. Asset freezes prevent UK citizens and businesses from dealing with funds or economic resources owned, held, or controlled by designated persons. Travel bans refuse entry or remain in the United Kingdom. Director disqualification prevents designated persons from acting as directors of UK companies or sufficiently-connected foreign companies. The UK Sanctions List provides the current list of those subject to sanctions. REFERENCES: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. UK Sanctions Iranian Targets in Response to National Security Threats. May 11, 2026. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-sanctions-iranian-targets-in-response-to-national-security-threats