The European Union approved EU sanctions against individuals and entities accused of disrupting maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced the decision after an informal meeting of EU defence ministers in Cyprus.
Kallas said freedom of navigation faced growing pressure worldwide. She said Iranian actions and drone activity in the Strait of Hormuz had posed risks to commercial shipping.
The decision marked the first use of the European Union’s new sanctions regime for protecting freedom of navigation, Kallas said.
Read: Iran Sanctions Too Early to Drop, EU Chief Says
She said EU ministers considered the alleged disruption unacceptable. She added that the bloc would use the sanctions mechanism again if needed.
Kallas also said the EU naval mission ASPIDES was playing a key role in protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
She said ASPIDES could later support broader maritime security cooperation in the Strait of Hormuz. She cited possible efforts led by France and the United Kingdom once conditions allow.
