BRUSSELS (AP) The European Union's top court has thrown out sanctions that were imposed against several Iranian businesses for their alleged ties to the country's disputed nuclear program.
The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg ruled on Friday that there was not sufficient evidence to justify the sanctions imposed by the 28-nation bloc on eight Iranian banks and companies.
The decision is a blow to Western efforts to tighten the sanctions regime, which aims to pressure Iran over its disputed nuclear program. The West maintains Iran is trying to build nuclear weapons but Tehran insists its program serves only civilian purposes.
The court says the sanctions will stay in place for at least two months pending any appeal.
