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EU Toughens Sanctions Against Iran

   VOA News 26 July 2010
   European  Union  Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton speaks during a
   media  conference in Brussels, where EU leaders are set to adopt a new
   set  of  sanctions  against  Iran  in  a  further  effort to stall its
   disputed nuclear program (File Photo - 17 Jun 2010)

Photo: AP

   European  Union  Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton speaks during a
   media  conference in Brussels, where EU leaders are set to adopt a new
   set  of  sanctions  against  Iran  in  a  further  effort to stall its
   disputed nuclear program (File Photo - 17 Jun 2010)

   The  European  Union  on  Monday  adopted  a  sweeping  package of new
   sanctions against Iran, targeting the country's foreign trade, banking
   and profitable energy sectors.

   It  is  the  latest in a series of measures taken by the international
   community in an effort to halt Iran's disputed nuclear activities.

   The  EU  sanctions are intended to curb investment and trade in Iran's
   lucrative  oil  and  gas  industries.  Iran's  shipping  and air cargo
   companies  will  be  blacklisted  and  banned  from  operating  in  EU
   territory.

   The  new  EU  measures go beyond the fourth round of sanctions imposed
   last  month  by the U.N. Security Council because of Iran's refusal to
   stop its uranium enrichment program.

   The United States and other nations believe Iran is using its civilian
   nuclear  program as a cover to develop nuclear weapons - a charge Iran
   denies.

   EU  leaders  agreed  in  principle  to  the new sanctions in June. The
   measures  will  come  into force in the next few weeks, after they are
   published in the bloc's official gazette.

   According  to  the decision reached in June, the sanctions will target
   dual-use  items  that  could be used as part of a nuclear program, and
   Iran's  oil  and  gas  industry  -  including  the "prohibition of new
   investment, technical assistance and transfers of technologies."

   Iran's shipping and air cargo companies will be blacklisted and banned
   from  operating  in  EU territory, and new visa bans and asset freezes
   will  be  imposed  on  Iran's Revolutionary Guards. The sanctions also
   encompass trade insurance and financial transactions.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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