DLA Piper's Sanctions Matrix: July 2026

Our latest Sanctions Matrix, summarising all UK, EU, US and Canada sanctions in force as of 1 July 2026* is now available.

Key updates in this edition include: 

• Belarus: The EU imposed a range of new sectoral measures in April 2026 that previously applied only to Russia, including additional trade restrictions, measures targeting crypto-assets service providers, and new prohibitions on the provision of cybersecurity and tourism services. 
  
  
• Cuba: On 1 May 2026, the US introduced new Cuba sanctions which, currently, are not within the scope of the UK or EU Blocking Regulations.
  
  
• Iran: Rapid changes in US sanctions on Iran have marked the period since the last Matrix. The Matrix summarises developments as of 7 July 2026.
  
  
• Russia: The EU and UK introduced introduced additional sanctions targeting Russia in April and May 2026 respectively. These new sanctions included product-based and services restrictions, with a particular focus on Russian shipping and energy products. The EU measures extended further than the UK measures and also included new financial services, cybersecurity services and crypto measures, as well as the first “anti-circumvention” sanctions restricting exports of certain high-risk goods (such as machine tools and telecom equipment) destined for Kyrgyzstan. Although not exclusive to Russia, in May 2026 the UK introduced new “end use” powers enabling UK authorities to require a licence for specific exports from the UK to third countries of goods or technology restricted under specific geographical sanctions regimes, including Russia. The Matrix does not include the additional EU sanctions targeting Russia adopted as part of its 21st package of sanctions.
  
  
• Syria: In December 2025, the US repealed the Caesar Syria Protection Act of 2019, removing secondary sanctions against non-US persons supporting the Syrian government and lifting certain sanctions on persons that knowingly provided various goods or services to Syria. In February 2026, Canada amended its Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations to advance sanctions relief, including to repeal sectoral sanctions, amend listing criteria and delist certain individuals (while listing a small number of others identified as being involved in human rights violations in Syria).
  
  
• Venezuela: Throughout the first half of 2026, OFAC issued and renewed several general licenses to authorise transactions in Venezuela. Taken together, the current general licences and broader framework authorise a range of transactions that were previously restricted, while substantive restrictions and compliance risks remain in place.
  
  
• Zimbabwe: On 19 February 2026, the EU lifted the asset-freeze and travel ban measures under the Zimbabwe regime, retaining only an arms and internal repression equipment embargo, as part of a broader policy shift towards the de‑escalation of sanctions targeting Zimbabwe.

A snapshot of the Sanctions Matrix and the issues covered can be downloaded above. Please get in touch with any of the authors to receive the full-length Sanctions Matrix, or to arrange an introductory conversation with our Global Sanctions and Trade team.

*The Matrix does not include developments after this date, such as the EU’s 21st package of sanctions targeting Russia.