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ARTICLE · 23 DECEMBER 2025

General Court Of The EU Issues Blocking Statute Decision

Cassidy Levy Kent LLP
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The General Court of the European Union dismissed last week an action brought by Middle East Bank, Munich Branch...

GlobalInternational Law
Cassidy Levy Kent
Cassidy Levy Kent
Ulrika K. Swanson
Ulrika K. Swanson
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The General Court of the European Union dismissed last week an action brought by Middle East Bank, Munich Branch, seeking annulment of two Commission decisions authorizing Clearstream Banking AG to comply with US Iran-related sanctions under the EU's Blocking Statute (Article 5 of Council Regulation (EC) 2271/96). Through its application, Middle East Bank had sought to force the release to its benefit of securities held by Clearstream (T-518/23 Middle East Bank, Munich Branch v. European Commission supported by Clearstream Banking AG).

In 2018, the U.S. withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal (known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA) and reimposed nuclear-related secondary sanctions against Iran. The Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") also readded over 400 individuals and entities to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (the "SDN list"), including against Middle East Bank (MEB), an Iranian bank. These U.S. sanctions prohibit persons

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