The European Union is gearing up to widen its sanctions against Iran, focusing specifically on individuals and organizations responsible for obstructing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Reuters, two EU diplomats confirmed that member state ambassadors have reached a political consensus. They plan to update their sanctions criteria to officially penalize anyone interfering with the freedom of navigation in this crucial maritime chokepoint.

For the past two months, Iran has largely kept the strait closed, severely disrupting a route that handles roughly 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supply. Although Tehran briefly allowed a few tankers to pass on April 17, the waterway remains highly volatile due to ongoing military clashes and the recent U.S. seizure of an Iranian cargo vessel.

Diplomats expect it will take a few weeks for the European External Action Service (EEAS) to finalize the first wave of targets under these new rules. While the EEAS handles the designation of specific individuals and groups, broader economic sanctions are managed by the European Commission.

This upcoming measure is part of a larger, ongoing EU crackdown on Iran. Earlier this year, the EU designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization in January, followed by additional human rights-related sanctions against Iranian officials in March.