Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced sanctions and travel bans against seven Iranian individuals and four entities on May 12, 2026, citing ongoing repression and regional destabilisation. Australia targeted Iran's shadow banking system, which Canberra claims funds Hamas and Iran's ballistic missile programme. The move follows similar sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom and United States on May 11, 2026.
Australian sanctions announcement
- ▪Australia accused Iran of ongoing repression and regional destabilisation
- ▪Australian foreign minister Penny Wong announced new sanctions and travel bans against seven Iranian individuals and four entities on May 12, 2026
- ▪The Iranian government carried out mass arrests and violence against peaceful protesters, including women and children
- ▪The Australian sanctions targeted senior Iranian officials and organisations allegedly involved in mass arrests and violence against peaceful protesters
Iranian shadow banking system
- ▪Canberra claims Iran's shadow banking system supports Iran's ballistic missile programme
- ▪Australia targeted what it described as Iran's shadow banking system with sanctions
- ▪Canberra claims Iran's shadow banking system helps fund groups such as Hamas
Coordinated international sanctions
- ▪Washington's sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities form part of its Economic Fury campaign aimed at restricting funding for Iran's weapons and nuclear programmes
- ▪The United Kingdom imposed fresh sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities on May 11, 2026
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