After the Trump-era breakdown in nuclear negotiations, the EU’s Blocking Statute—introduced to shield European businesses from U.S. sanctions and assert legal independence—ended up bottlenecking courts, costing millions, and is now widely dismissed as a farce.
The EU’s Iran-focused sanctions policy is “dead in the water”
From orchestrating terror plots to leveraging economic loopholes, Tehran’s reach in Germany underscores the growing complexity of countering the Iranian regime’s covert operations
Italian court sides with Iranian company in little-known sanctions case, orders bank to release frozen funds
German court narrows Clearstream’s liability in Iranian securities dispute
Frankfurt court orders German graphite supplier to repay €35.9M to Iranian client despite U.S. sanctions
UK court rules in favor of Mamancochet Mining in €3.8 million insurance dispute
German court sides with Iranian metal firm’s subsidiary in sanctions-linked contract dispute
German court sides with Iranian shipping company in sanctions dispute with local bank
Court sides with German bank’s decision to end Iranian account over U.S. sanctions risk
French court reduces biotech firm’s damages in Iranian distribution case
EU General Court ruling delists Iranian company with past involvement in nuclear activities
Dutch court finds “force majeure” argument inadmissible
Intesa Sanpaolo Payed $2.95 Million Settlement Over Iran Sanctions Violations
Ruling marks victory for German-based subsidiary of a company sanctioned for “facilitating censorship”
An EU Court ordered damages to an Iranian businessman, deeming the placement of his electrical equipment purveyor on the sanctions list an “error.”
Company Overview
EU court rejects Iran Air’s bid to suspend sanctions
Flagship airline fought EU sanctions over alleged role in arms transfers to Russia
German court rebukes bank over U.S. sanctions compliance
Dutch court puts freight forwarder under spotlight in Iran exports case
EU Court Upholds Clearstream’s Decision to Block Iranian Funds
Despite U.S. secondary sanctions cutting Iranian banks off from global finance, Bank Saman maintains branches in Germany and Italy, underscoring the EU’s divergent approach.
While Washington isolates Tehran, the EU allows Iranian banks to operate on its territory, reflecting diverging strategies on diplomacy, sanctions, and engagement.
EU Court Dismisses €121 Million Claim by Bank Refah Kargaran Over Sanctions
French case shows the practical difficulties in implementing the Blocking Statute against economic pressures.
Government-owned entities have 60% stake
Iranian bank co-owns active UK-based subsidiary, as well as IRGC-linked companies
Court ruling found in favor of Bank Mellat subsidiary in the UK, setting the beneficial ownership bar high for sanctions enforcers
This large, state-owned Iranian bank has a long history of challenging European Union sanctions.
Frankfurt case navigates cross-jurisdictional legal challenges
Court reaffirms EU Blocking Statute, encouraging EU companies to continue business relations with Iran despite US sanctions
Despite international sanctions, Iran’s oldest bank continues to operate globally with branches in key cities worldwide
Older litigation by EIH shows how banks that assist sanctioned Iranian businesses maintain pressure on EU legal structures
Italian case reaffirms sanctioned Iranian financial institution’s right to EU-based banking services
Pressure on the media in Iran intensified shortly after the 1979 revolution, beginning with the shutdown of the “Ayandegan” newspaper, the seizure of major newspapers “Kayhan” and “Ettela’at”, and the persecution of numerous journalists through imprisonment and execution. In the aftermath of the revolution, Khomeini’s
Corruption is Khamenei’s way of controlling the government and seizing more power.
Why this essential term must be redefined for an Iranian context.
A bill addressing the leading cause of corruption has languished in the Majles for over two years.
The lives, business interests, and influential connections of the late president’s five children.
Gareth Smyth talks to Yossi Alpher about his latest book, Death Tango, focused on the 2002 Arab Summit
Many Iranian officials who’ve studied in the United States have done anything but live up to the human rights–respecting reputation of a Western education.
The individuals and organizations behind one of Iran’s most secretive business networks.