EU set to tighten sanctions against Iran

LUXEMBOURG EU foreign ministers will hold a meeting on Monday in Luxembourg, when they are expected to approve the tightening of sanctions against Iran. British Foreign Secretary William Hague said ahead of the meeting that the new sanctions would be "a sign of the commitment of the EU to step up pressure" over Iran's disputed nuclear program. EU set to tighten sanctions against Iran He added that the pressure will continue in the coming months until the negotiations succeed, the Associated Press reported. The foreign ministers of France and Germany sent a similar message. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton has expressed hope that the talks with Iran would resume soon, said Reuters. "We still have room for diplomacy on Iran's nuclear program and the negotiations could start soon," Ashton said ahead of today's meeting of EU foreign ministers. "I really hope that we will be able to move forward soon in our negotiations with Iran," said Ashton. The U.S. and its western allies accuse Iran of developing nuclear weapons, while Tehran repeatedly rejected such claims. The sanctions are expected to target Iranian banks, companies, and natural gas imports. The EU will also toughen its sanctions against Syria's military industry, and expand the list of officials banned from entering EU countries, in an attempt to make it more difficult for President Bashar al-Assad to secure fresh funds. Tanjug

EU set to tighten sanctions against Iran

He added that the pressure will continue in the coming months until the negotiations succeed, the Associated Press reported.

The foreign ministers of France and Germany sent a similar message.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton has expressed hope that the talks with Iran would resume soon, said Reuters.

"We still have room for diplomacy on Iran's nuclear program and the negotiations could start soon," Ashton said ahead of today's meeting of EU foreign ministers.

"I really hope that we will be able to move forward soon in our negotiations with Iran," said Ashton.

The U.S. and its western allies accuse Iran of developing nuclear weapons, while Tehran repeatedly rejected such claims.

The sanctions are expected to target Iranian banks, companies, and natural gas imports.

The EU will also toughen its sanctions against Syria's military industry, and expand the list of officials banned from entering EU countries, in an attempt to make it more difficult for President Bashar al-Assad to secure fresh funds.