EU, Canada hammer Iran with fresh sanctions

European Union (EU) foreign ministers on Monday hammered Iran with tougher sanctions over its nuclear programme, including measures to block oil and gas investment and curtail its refining and natural gas capability. The measures were endorsed by Canada within hours, and follow a similar US move.

Foreign ministers from the 27 EU member states adopted punitive measures, going beyond the measures contained in UN Security Council Resolution 1929, which is was the fourth punitive resolution against Tehran's refusal to freeze nuclear work.

The decision provides a comprehensive package of sanctions in the areas of trade, financial services, energy, transport as well as additional designations for visa ban and asset freeze, in particular for Iranian banks, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines.

The moves are aimed at reviving moribund talks between Iran and six world powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the US. "We want to see dialogue on nuclear weapons capability to start as soon as possible in order to reach an agreement," EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said.

"Until we get to that point we will continue to take our responsibilities seriously... (The) purpose of those sanctions is to persuade Iran, 'we need to discuss this issue, and move forward'."

British foreign secretary William Hague said Britain has been in recent weeks seeking an agreement in the EU on a strong package of sanctions implementing the UN Security Council resolution. London also wanted a message to Iran that it cannot just walk away from negotiations and expects no further pressure.