EU set to follow US in upping sanctions on Iran
(Read article summary)Iran is facing sanctions well beyond what the United Nations Security Council approved June 9. EU heads are today expected to follow the US in approving new sanctions to target Iran's energy and financial sectors.
• A daily summary of global reports on security issues.
European Union leaders are today expected to adopt tougher sanctions against Iran in a further effort to stall its nuclear program. The EU sanctions follow the Obama administration's expansion of sanctions to target Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, state-controlled banks, companies accused of supporting proliferation activities, and the Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Both the EU and US sanctions go further than those adopted by the United Nations Security Council resolution June 9.
That fourth round of UN-approved sanctions was watered down to gain support from China and Russia. The intent is to punish Tehran for planning to enrich uranium to 20 percent by disrupting the money flow to Iran's Revolutionary Guard. It called for an asset freeze on 40 companies and organizations involved in nuclear or ballistic missile activities.
According to the Associated Press, the new EU measures "will target Iran's oil industry, shipping and air cargo companies, and dual-use products that could be utilized as part of the nuclear program. More sanctions will also be imposed on trade insurance and financial transactions."
Page 1 of 5
