EU court rejects Iran Air’s bid to suspend sanctions
In a ruling issued 27 June 2025, the EU General Court dismissed Iran Air’s request for interim relief to suspend its designation under the EU sanctions regime. The airline had sought to block Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/2698 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2697, both adopted on 14 October 2024, on the grounds that they wrongfully imposed restrictive measures on Iran Air related to Iran’s alleged military support to Russia and certain Middle East entities.
Iran Air’s legal challenge (Case T-676/24 R) contended that the EU’s measures violated its fundamental procedural rights—among them, the right to be heard, the right to defence, and access to evidence. The airline argued that the sanctions regime was premised more on political solidarity obligations than on clear direct responsibility, and that its rights to a fair legal process had been compromised.Â
The Court held that Iran Air’s application did not establish the necessary degree of urgency or risk of irreparable harm to justify suspending the sanctions before the full legal proceedings. In essence, the court judged that because the legal and factual disputes were complex, and because the airline had not shown that it would suffer damage that could not later be remedied, suspending the EU decision was not warranted, according to the court ruling.