European Union Sanctions against Iran

Council of the European Union conclusions on Iran’s nuclear programme

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

The Council recalls that the European Council has repeatedly underlined its deepening concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme and in that regard, welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1929 introducing new restrictive measures against Iran.

In accordance with the European Council Declaration of 17 June, the Council has today adopted a Decision implementing the measures contained in UN Security Council Resolution 1929 as well as accompanying measures, with a view to supporting the resolution of all outstanding concerns regarding Iran’s development of sensitive technologies in support of its nuclear and missile programmes, through negotiation.

The Council notes that the Council Decision provides a comprehensive and robust package of measures 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 (IRGC) and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL). These measures correspond to the areas identified by the European Council in June.

The Council again reaffirms the longstanding commitment of the European Union to work for a diplomatic solution of the Iranian nuclear issue. The Council welcomes and fully supports the efforts of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to resume talks in this regard. The Council calls on Iran to seize this opportunity to allay the concerns of the international community about its nuclear programme and agree on a concrete date for talks with the EU High Representative, together with the six countries.

The Council reaffirms the validity of the June 2008 proposals made to Iran. The aim of the EU is to achieve a comprehensive and long-term settlement which would rebuild international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme, while respecting Iran’s legitimate rights to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy under the NPT. The Council recalls that the EU’s objective remains to engage in meaningful negotiations about the Iranian nuclear programme and other issues of mutual concern with the ultimate goal of establishing a comprehensive relationship between the EU and Iran, involving cooperation in all fields (economic, nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, political and security) and benefiting both sides.