EU ministers impose fresh sanctions against Iran
16 Oct 2012 11:52 PM GMT
European Union foreign ministers on Monday adopted tough new financial and trade sanctions against Iran aimed at forcing a breakthrough in stalled talks on Tehran's contested nuclear programme.
The new package of sanctions targets EU dealings with Iran's banks, as well as trade and gas imports. Details on those targeted will be released on Tuesday but a government minister is on the new blacklist, diplomats said. Citing 'serious and deepening concerns' over Iran's nuclear drive, a statement approved by the ministers said the EU had 'agreed additional restrictive measures in the financial, trade, energy and transport sectors.'
The sanctions in particular target Iran's nuclear and ballistic programmes, aiming to choke off any government revenues being funnelled into these. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton earlier said it was 'very, very important that Iran is sent a very strong signal from this European Union foreign affairs council that we want to see a negotiated agreement.'
Previous sanctions, in particular a biting oil embargo that came into effect in July, are 'quite clearly having an effect,' she told reporters. Ashton said the sanctions aimed 'to persuade Iran to come to the table.' Â Â Â
ECONOMIC AGENDA
The new package of sanctions targets EU dealings with Iran's banks, as well as trade and gas imports. Details on those targeted will be released on Tuesday but a government minister is on the new blacklist, diplomats said. Citing 'serious and deepening concerns' over Iran's nuclear drive, a statement approved by the ministers said the EU had 'agreed additional restrictive measures in the financial, trade, energy and transport sectors.'
The sanctions in particular target Iran's nuclear and ballistic programmes, aiming to choke off any government revenues being funnelled into these. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton earlier said it was 'very, very important that Iran is sent a very strong signal from this European Union foreign affairs council that we want to see a negotiated agreement.'
Previous sanctions, in particular a biting oil embargo that came into effect in July, are 'quite clearly having an effect,' she told reporters. Ashton said the sanctions aimed 'to persuade Iran to come to the table.' Â Â Â
ECONOMIC AGENDA
- The new package of sanctions targets EU dealings with Iran’s banks, as well as trade and gas imports
- Details on those targeted will be released on Tuesday but a government minister is on the new blacklist, diplomats said
- The sanctions in particular target Iran’s nuclear and ballistic programmes, aiming to choke off any government revenues being funnelled into these
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