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10/15/12

EU tightens sanctions against Iran

The EU has tightened its sanctions against Iran by imposing stricter measures targeting the country's banking, trade and energy sectors.

The new punitive package, which includes an embargo on Iranian natural gas, was agreed at the EU foreign affairs council in Luxembourg on Monday. Its aim is to close major loopholes that allow Iran to circumvent sanctions and secure funds for its disputed nuclear program.

"The EU has today increased the pressure on Iran through another substantial package of sanctions," said Britain's foreign secretary, William Hague, who along with his French and German counterparts called for tighter sanctions last month.

The White House welcomed the new EU sanctions, with press secretary Jay Carney saying: "Rallying the world to isolate Iran and increasing the pressure on its leadership so that they stop pursuing a nuclear weapon has been a top priority for the president."

Read more: EU tightens sanctions against Iran | World news | guardian.co.uk

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