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.

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