Australia has joined the embargo on oil imports from Iran, ITAR-TASS reports.
Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd told his British counterpart William Hague that Australia would take the same actions as announced by the EU in Brussels on January 23.
Foreign ministers of 27 EU states met in Brussels on January 23 and approved the embargo on Iranian oil exports. The new package of sanctions includes a gradual ban on imports of petroleum from Iran. The embargo will come into full force on July 1. The EU also froze assets of the Iranian Central Bank and banned sales of gold, diamonds and precious metals from Iran. The measures are to convince Iran to abandon the nuclear program and renew talks.
The EU purchases 20% of Iranian oil exports. China, South Korea, Japan and India are the main oil importers from Iran.
