EU imposes new sanctions on Iran, Syria

European Union foreign ministers have agreed to tough new sanctions against Iran aimed at forcing a breakthrough

in talks on Tehran’s nuclear program.   They have also imposed additional sanctions on the regime in war-ravaged Syria.   “This is a sign of our resolve,” British foreign secretary William Hague said of the Iran package.   “That we will step up the pressure, we will intensify the pressure and we will continue to do so over the coming months unless negotiations succeed.”   The new package targets EU dealings with Iran’s banks, shipping and gas imports.   Washington welcomed the accord as further strengthening international efforts to pressure and isolate the Iranian government.   Citing “serious and deepening concerns” over Iran’s nuclear drive, a statement approved by the ministers said the EU had “agreed additional restrictive measures in the financial, trade, energy and transport sectors”.   It condemned Iran’s continuing production of enriched uranium and said Tehran was in flagrant violation of its international obligations by refusing to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency.   EU foreign policy chief Catherine 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”.   Previous sanctions, in particular an oil embargo that came into effect in July, are “quite clearly having an effect,” she told reporters.   Analysts say with Iran already locked out of US transactions, losing the ability to settle oil payments in Euros will further isolate Iran and paralyse its trade.   Iran denies it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.   Syria assets freeze   On Syria, the EU – winner last week of the 2012 Nobel peace prize - agreed to an assets freeze and travel ban against 28 Syrians and two firms.   It is the bloc’s 19th round of restrictive measures against the Assad regime since the start of the conflict in March last year.   The identities of those concerned will be released tomorrow in the EU Official Journal.   Diplomats said the sanctions target people linked to violence against protesters, or firms accused of supplying equipment used by the regime to repress the protest movement.   Responding to pleas from Turkey to help it cope with an influx of more than 100,000 Syrian refugees, the EU also pledged to continue assisting but made no offer to take them in.   The EU’s financial and trade noose on Iran includes banning all transactions between European and Iranian banks unless authorised in advance by national authorities, for example for humanitarian or medical reasons.   It also tightens existing sanctions against the Central Bank of Iran.   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.   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.   ABC/AFP