EU urged to step up sanctions on Iran – British daily

Iran Focus: London, Jan. 19 – Germany is proposing that the European Union step up sanctions on Iran to more than that required of it by a resolution adopted at the United Nations Security Council late last year, Britain’s Financial Times said on Friday. Iran Focus

London, Jan. 19 – Germany is proposing that the European Union step up sanctions on Iran to more than that required of it by a resolution adopted at the United Nations Security Council late last year, Britain’s Financial Times said on Friday.

Germany which currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency is proposing the 27-nation bloc ban individuals linked to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs from visiting EU states and reaffirm its opposition to selling arms to Tehran, according to a document seen by the Financial Times.

Last month the Security Council passed a resolution requiring UN member states to prevent the transfer of nuclear and missile technology to Tehran and to stop all financing for a number of companies linked to the nuclear and missile programs. The resolution also requires UN states to freeze the assets of 12 people connected with the programs.

The EU proposals, put forward ahead of a foreign ministers meeting on Monday, would also ban travel to the EU of the individuals on the UN list and take steps to restrict Iranians studying proliferation-sensitive subjects within the EU.

The proposals will need to be backed by all 27 EU member states, some of which, such as Italy, have close commercial ties with Iran, the report said.