Britain on Tuesday enacted legislation imposing tougher sanctions on Iran and expanding trade restrictions and powers to target ships, as part of efforts the government said were aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear program and its other hostile activities.
Broader financial and trade restrictions
The British government said the new measures would restrict Iran’s access to the British financial system and expand the scope of the trade ban to include additional goods, technologies and services, while also barring Iranian aircraft from landing in Britain except in exceptional circumstances.
The legislation comes as Britain intensifies economic pressure on Tehran. London said on 25 August that it had imposed more than 240 sanctions on Iran since the government took office, aimed at preventing the Iranian regime from exploiting the global economy and the British financial system to support its nuclear program and destabilizing activities.
Vessel traffic declines in the Strait of Hormuz
The tightening of sanctions comes amid continuing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and a decline in vessel traffic, as Iran threatens to respond to any new US attacks.
Data from Kpler showed that 7 vessels carrying goods passed through the strait on Monday, compared with 8 vessels the previous day, amid concerns that disruptions to shipping and energy flows will continue.
