THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) No 359/2011 of 12 April 2011 concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Iran, and in particular Article 12(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) On 12 April 2011, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 359/2011.

(2) The Council conclusions of 12 December 2022 stressed that the Union strongly rejected Iran’s practice of arbitrary detention of foreign citizens, including dual nationals, and called upon Iran to end the distressing practice of detaining innocent foreign civilians with a view to making political gains. The Union reminded Iran of its international obligations under the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations and urged the Iranian authorities to abide by these obligations.

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