EU finalizes sanctions against Iran

Foreign ministers of 27 EU countries finally approved the imposition
of additional sanctions against Iran at meeting in Luxembourg on
Monday,  RIA Novosti reports, with reference to Agence France Presse.

In late July EU foreign ministers proposed imposing additional
sanctions against Iran. Most of them were expected to come into force
at the same time. The sanctions consisted of freezing investments in
the Iranian oil and gas sector and a ban on the transfer of industrial
technologies and equipment, as well as on provision of specialized
services. In the area of trade it was proposed banning the export of
products which could be used by Iran for military purposes.

The Europeans have also decided to impose new travel restrictions and
freeze bank accounts belonging to the members of the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps. In addition, it was proposed banning
Iranian banks from operating in EU countries and prohibiting the
Iranian maritime cargo carrier Irisil from entering EU territorial
waters.

The EU also compiled a "blacklist" of more than 40 prominent Iranian
politicians who were to be denied entry to the EU.