EU adds more sanctions against Iran
Europe stepped up economic and diplomatic sanctions against Iran today, in a move British Foreign Secretary William Hague said was not prompted by the attack on the UK embassy in Tehran.
At talks with fellow EU foreign ministers Mr Hague welcomed what he described as “a great deal of solidarity” from other EU capitals over the attack, with many countries withdrawing their ambassadors from Iran in protest.
But he said another round of sanctions designed to further isolate the regime was a separate issue already on the EU agenda.
The new sanctions include adding 180 individuals and Iranian businesses associated with the Iran regime to a list of those banned from travel in Europe and whose European assets are frozen.
They were people and companies involved with Iranian shipping lines, financial services, energy and transport, or those associated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
Mr Hague said further work on economic sanctions would continue towards a possible ban on Iranian oil exports to the EU: “We have agreed to do further work to be brought forward to the next meeting of foreign ministers in January, but it is too early to say we have agreed to any oil measures,” said Mr Hague.
He added: “There will be further measures against Iran unless Iran changes its behaviour and the course of its (nuclear)policies.”
