On Dec. 1, the European Union issued the following statement to explain its new sanctions on Iran:
The Council adopted the following conclusions:
1. "The Council reiterates its serious and deepening concerns over the nature of Iran's nuclear
programme, and in particular over the findings on Iranian activities relating to the
development of military nuclear technology, as reflected in the latest IAEA report. In this
regard, the Council strongly supports the resolution adopted by the IAEA Board of
Governors, which expresses deep and increasing concerns about unresolved issues and
stresses the grave concern posed by Iran’s continued refusal to comply with its international
obligations and to fully co-operate with the IAEA.
2. In the light of these concerns, the Council has today designated a further 180 entities and
individuals to be subject to restrictive measures. These designations include entities and
individuals directly involved in Iran’s nuclear activities, which are in violation of UNSC
resolutions; entities and individuals owned, controlled or acting on behalf of the Islamic
Republic of Iran Shipping Line (IRISL); and members of, as well as entities controlled by, the
Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
3. In accordance with the European Council Declaration of 23 October, the Council further
agreed that, given the seriousness of the situation, including the acceleration of the near 20%
uranium enrichment activities by Iran, in violation of six UNSC resolutions and eleven IAEA
Board resolutions, and the installation of centrifuges at a previously undeclared and deeply
buried site near Qom, as detailed in the IAEA report, the EU should extend the scope of its
restrictive measures against Iran.
4. In particular, the Council agreed to broaden existing sanctions by examining, in close
coordination with international partners, additional measures including measures aimed at
severely affecting the Iranian financial system, in the transport sector, in the energy sector,
measures against the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, as well as in other areas. The
Council tasked preparatory Council bodies to further elaborate these measures for adoption,
no later than by the next Foreign Affairs Council.
5. The Council again reaffirmed the longstanding commitment of the European Union to work
for a diplomatic solution of the Iranian nuclear issue in accordance with the dual track
approach. The Council welcomes and fully supports the continuing efforts of the EU High
Representative on behalf of the E3+3 aimed at convincing Iran to enter into meaningful talks
on concrete confidence building measures. The Council calls upon Iran to respond positively
to the offer of negotiations in the EU High Representative’s latest letter by demonstrating its
readiness to seriously address existing concerns on the nuclear issue.
6. The Council reaffirms that the objective of the EU remains to achieve a comprehensive and
long-term settlement which would build international confidence in the exclusively peaceful
nature of the Iranian nuclear program, while respecting Iran’s legitimate rights to the
peaceful uses of nuclear energy under the NPT."