On 10 October 2025, the Italian Government submitted to Parliament the draft legislative decree implementing Directive (EU) 2024/1226 on the definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of Union restrictive measures, which mandates the criminalisation of violations of EU restrictive measures. This long-awaited step marks a turning point in Italy’s approach to sanctions enforcement, aligning its legal framework with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). Sanctions Violations Enter the Criminal Code…
On 28 August 2025, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (the “E3”) formally triggered the “snapback” mechanism under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (“JCPOA”), citing Iran’s continued non-compliance with its nuclear-related commitments. This move has been followed by weeks of unsuccessful negotiations at the United Nations aimed at extending the JCPOA framework. As a result of the snapback, and the failure to reach an agreement, all UN sanctions previously lifted under the JCPOA have…
Following the EU’s 18th sanctions package and the latest developments of the UK’s sanctions against Russia, the Governments of Australia and Japan also introduced additional measures against Russia respectively on 18 and 12 September 2025. Among other measures, they have agreed with other G7 countries to phase out Russian oil imports in response to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, indicating aligned efforts within the G7 with respect to the imposition of sanctions against Russia. This…
There have been a number of fluctuating developments in the UN and EU’s approach to Iran over the past few weeks, with a further attempt to salvage negotiations in an agreement on 10 September. We set out further details herein, including consideration of the sanctions implications. Political Developments At the end of August, amid concerns regarding Tehran’s continued resistance to international nuclear oversight and Russia’s upcoming presidency of the United Nations Security Council, the E3…