EUROPEAN Union foreign ministers have adopted tough new financial and trade sanctions against Iran aimed at forcing a breakthrough in stalled talks on Tehran's contested nuclear program.
The new package of sanctions targets EU dealings with Iran's banks, as well as trade and gas imports.
Citing "serious and deepening concerns" over Iran's nuclear drive, a statement on Monday approved by the ministers said the EU had "agreed additional restrictive measures in the financial, trade, energy and transport sectors".
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton earlier said it was "very, very important that Iran is sent a very strong signal from this European Union foreign affairs council that we want to see a negotiated agreement".
Ashton, who represents global powers in talks with Iran on its nuclear program, said the sanctions aimed "to persuade Iran to come to the table".
Under the package, the EU bans all transactions between European and Iranian banks unless authorised in advance by national authorities, for example for humanitarian or medical reasons. It als tightens existing sanctions against the Central Bank of Iran.
Imports of Iranian gas will be prohibited, a symbolic gesture since the amounts involved are small, but the move sits alongside a much more significant ban on imports of Iranian oil introduced in July.
Sales of graphite and metals of potential use to Iran's nuclear or ballistic missile programs are also to be closed down, while other measures target Iran's shipping industry.
The package also bans the use of EU vessels for transporting or storing Iranian oil.
An EU asset freeze and travel ban will be imposed on 34 additional entities, particularly in the oil, gas and financial sectors, as well as on one person.
After long denying the impact of Western economic sanctions against Iran, Iranian leaders since last summer have changed their rhetoric and now regularly condemn the Western-imposed "economic war" against Iran.
They acknowledge that the economy is suffering, in particular due to the cut in oil exports and production, the main source of the country's revenue.
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday before the EU decision that Iran's enemies are seeking to disrupt the "calmness" in the country through economic confrontation.
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