Русская версияThe European Union voted on Friday, Aug.
8, to implement United
Nations-agreed sanctions on Iran. It instructed its financial
institutions to exercise "restraint" on export credits and allowed
its navies to inspect Iran-bound cargoes.
The UN text, agreed in March, called upon states to "exercise
vigilance in entering into new commitments for public provided
financial support for trade with Iran," but the EU went further in
urging member states to exercise "restraint."
Individual countries threaten sanctions
Bildunterschrift:
Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift:
In March, the Security Council voten on sanctions
An EU regulation -- backed by diplomats last week and also
officially approved on Friday -- urged the 27 EU states to exercise
vigilance over Iranian financial institutions. It said countries
should be especially wary of one of Iran's largest banks, Bank
Saderat.
Furthermore, the United States, Britain, Germany and France agreed
on Friday to consider independent sanctions against Iran.
These are beyond measures already taken by the United Nations
Security Council and beyond steps likely to be considered in a
possible next round of UN sanctions, said an official who spoke to
AP news service anonymously.
He said the measures would be issued by individual countries rather
than any international body, such as the United Nations. They will
target vulnerable areas of the Iranian economy. Among the areas
considered is Iran's energy sector.
The diplomat did not give a time frame on Friday for concluding
talks on the plan.
Ongoing diplomatic tussle
The EU decision comes as major world powers are engaged in a
diplomatic tussle with Iran over its uranium enrichment program,
which Tehran says is for peaceful purposes but the West fears is
part of a weapons program.
The Security Council has already ordered three rounds of sanctions
against Iran.
Along with the threat of further sanctions, Washington has warned
that the option of military action remains open.
(Deutsche Welle)
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