US would welcome new EU sanctions on Iran

BRUSSELS – Any move by the European Union to impose new sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missile program and alleged involvement in Middle East conflicts would be "interesting and helpful", a US administration official said on Tuesday.

President Donald Trump, who has taken a more hawkish line on Iran than predecessor Barack Obama, has said Tehran's missile program should be curbed and wants to punish Tehran over its role in Yemen and Syria.

Trump has also dealt a blow to an international 2015 deal on Iran's nuclear program by disavowing Iran's compliance with its terms. The US Congress now has until mid-December to decide whether to reimpose economic sanctions on Iran that had been lifted in exchange for it limiting its nuclear activity.