Iran remains subject to a complex web of sanctions imposed by the United Nations, the United States and the European Union, according to a recent Al Jazeera report. The sanctions stem from Tehran's nuclear programme, ballistic‑missile development, alleged support for militant groups and concerns over human‑rights violations.
At the United Nations level, a series of Security Council resolutions – beginning with 1737 in 2006 and followed by 1747, 1803, 1929 and 2231 – have established prohibitions on the supply of nuclear‑related technology, restrictions on arms exports and asset freezes on designated individuals and entities. These resolutions also require member states to monitor Iranian financial transactions linked to prohibited activities.
The United States maintains the most extensive set of measures, including primary sanctions that bar American persons and companies from dealing with Iranian firms, and secondary sanctions that penalise non‑US entities that facilitate certain Iranian transactions. The US sanctions target Iran's oil exports, its banking sector, shipping, aerospace and other high‑technology industries. They also list hundreds of individuals and organisations for asset freezes and travel bans.
The European Union has applied its own restrictive measures, mirroring many UN provisions while adding sector‑specific bans on the export of dual‑use goods and restrictions on Iranian financial institutions. The EU framework also includes a list of persons subject to travel and asset restrictions, and it periodically updates its sanctions in response to developments in Tehran's nuclear negotiations.
While the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) led to a temporary easing of some sanctions, the United States' 2018 withdrawal and subsequent re‑imposition of sanctions revived many of the earlier restrictions. Subsequent diplomatic talks have produced limited relief, but most of the core sanctions remain in place as of 2026.
Al Jazeera notes that the cumulative effect of these overlapping regimes has constrained Iran's ability to access international financial markets, limited its oil revenue, and pressured its government to comply with international norms. However, Tehran continues to seek ways to mitigate the impact, including developing alternative trade routes and strengthening ties with non‑Western partners.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Al Jazeera — All News — original source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/17/what-are-all-the-sanctions-iran-is-under?traffic_source=rss.