EU reinforces restrictive measures concerning Iran

The Council added 143 entities and 37 persons to the list of those subject to a freeze of their assets and economic resources in the EU and to a ban from entering the Union.

These designations include entities and individuals directly involved in Iran's nuclear activities, which are in violation of UNSC resolutions; entities and individuals owned, controlled or acting on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line (IRISL), and members of, as well as entities controlled by, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

The measures target entities and individuals directly involved in Iran's nuclear activities, which are in violation of UN Security Council resolutions; entities and individuals owned, controlled or acting on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line; and members of as well as entities controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

Today's measures come in addition to already existing EU restrictive measures, adopted in response to concerns about Iran's proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities.

The decisions taken by the Council today, together with the list of designated entities and individuals, will be published in the EU Official Journal of 2 December 2011.

"The Council reiterates its serious and deepening concerns over the nature of Iran's nuclear programme, and in particular over the findings on Iranian activities relating to the development of military nuclear technology, as reflected in the latest IAEA report.

"In this regard, the Council strongly supports the resolution adopted by the IAEA Board of Governors, which expresses deep and increasing concerns about unresolved issues and stresses the grave concern posed by Iran's continued refusal to comply with its international obligations and to fully co-operate with the IAEA," the Council said in a statement.