Foreign Secretary Welcomes EU’s ‘Toughest Ever’ Sanctions Against Iran With Oil Ban On July 1

The EU yesterday agreed that the oil ban against Iran will come into force on 1 July.

Commenting on the move, Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

“Today the EU has agreed that the oil ban against Iran will come into force as planned on the 1 July. This is an important step and one for which the UK Government has argued strongly. Alongside new US sanctions, which also come into force this week, these restrictive measures are the toughest ever adopted against the Iranian Government. They reflect the international community’s resolve, and our determination, to intensify the peaceful pressure on Iran until it starts to build confidence that its nuclear programme is purely peaceful.

“Recent talks between the E3+3 and Iran on its nuclear programme were frank but difficult, with little progress made. Despite the negotiating powers’ best efforts in Baghdad and Moscow, the Iranian Government has so far failed to agree any concrete steps to address the international community’s serious concerns. It is not too late for Iran to give a more promising response to the offer of the E3+3, but they have not yet done so. The UK Government will argue for intensified sanctions over the coming months if there is no progress made in these negotiations.”

{Noam Amdurski-Matzav.com Newscenter}