Iran–European Union relations
European Union–Iran relations are the bilateral relations between Iran and the European Union (EU). The EU is Iran's largest trading partner, along with China and the United Arab Emirates. Trade with Iran is subject to the general EU import regime and the EU supports the goal of Iranian accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The EU has accused and criticized Iran for human rights violations, which led to diplomatic tensions, but both sides aim at improving and normalizing relations. Should Turkey's accession to the EU take place, Iran will border the European Union.
European Union |
Iran |
---|---|
Envoy | |
Josep Borrell | Hossein Amir-Abdollahian |
As of 2019, the Iran–EU trade relations are stained due to the sanctions re-imposed on Iran by the United States after the US unilateral withdrawal from the multinational Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement. The EU has, however, established a special Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges to enable EU–Iran trade bypassing the US sanctions. In fact, the EU were seen to be "urging Chinese and Russian counterparts to do more to support bilateral economic ties with Iran". Nonetheless, the European Union imposed sanctions against Iranian individuals and organizations over human rights abuses in Iran in 2022. The EU also blacklisted eight drone makers and airforce commanders in response to Tehran's supply of weapons to Russia. In 2023, the European Union adopted an eighth package of sanctions on Iran, thereby significantly expanding the scope of sanctions against Tehran.