EU bans imports of natural gas from Iran
Eurobloc votes in favor of tougher sanctions on Tehran in a bid to increase pressure over country's controversial nuclear program
The European Union's foreign ministers voted Monday on a new round of sanctions that the eurobloc will impose on Iran over its nuclear defiance.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said ahead of Monday's meeting of EU foreign ministers that new sanctions would be "a sign of our resolve in the European Union that we will step up the pressure."
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Hague said such pressure would continue to mount "over the coming months unless negotiations succeed. We remain open of course to success of negotiations."
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said that EU would be banning the import of Iranian natural gas into the bloc's member-nations, trying to increase pressure on Iran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Westerwelle also indicated that other sanctions on Iran are being considered by EU foreign ministers as they meet Monday in Luxembourg.
The foreign ministers of France and Germany made similar calls. They did not elaborate on the kind of measures under consideration.
Meanwhile, EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton said that there is still time for diplomacy with Iran over its nuclear program, and negotiations could move forward soon.
Ashton represents six major powers in their on-and-off talks with Iran.
"There is room for negotiation… I do hope we will able to move forward soon with our discussions with Iran," she said.
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