Stephen Smith, MP  Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Australia Welcomes New European Union Sanctions Against  Iran

27 July 2010

Australia welcomes new sanctions against Iran adopted by the European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs

Council in Brussels overnight.

The package includes EU measures to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929.

The EU package also includes far-reaching accompanying measures in the oil and gas, financial and

transport sectors.

The EU has described the size and scope of these new measures as robust and comprehensive. It

demonstrates the EU's strong commitment to taking decisive and targeted action to pressure Iran to comply

with its international obligations regarding its nuclear program.

Australia stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the EU on this issue.

On 10 June I welcomed United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1929, which imposed new

sanctions against Iran.

Australia has now fully implemented our obligations under Resolution 1929, well in advance of the UNSC's

reporting deadline of 8 August.

Australia continues to give consideration to additional sanctions that Australia can take against Iran,

including measures which go beyond those required by Resolution 1929, and which could strengthen that

Resolution.

Iran is yet to take the necessary steps to prove to the International Atomic Energy Agency and to the

international community that its nuclear program is entirely for peaceful purposes.

Australia continues to urge Iran to comply with all relevant UN Security Council resolutions and to provide

full cooperation to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Media inquiries

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