NZ considers more sanctions on Iran

New Zealand is considering imposing further sanctions on Iran as part of an international bid to halt its nuclear programme.

The European Union (EU) and Canada announced yesterday they would adopt new sanctions on Iran.

EU foreign ministers in Brussels called the restrictions a comprehensive and robust package focused on trade, financial services, energy, and transport, with visa bans and asset freezes for Iranian banks, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast denounced the EU decision.

A spokesman for New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said the Government was looking into implementing further sanctions on Iran.

New Zealand already imposed sanctions on Iran from the first three rounds of United Nations agreements. They were largely in the economic and banking sectors.

New Zealand was considering the fourth round of sanctions set last month by the UN Security Council.

The new EU restrictions were on top of the fourth round of sanctions and were similar to those imposed by the United States.

Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said the country's new measures would include a ban on any new Canadian investment in Iran's oil and gas sector and restrictions on exporting goods that could be used in nuclear programmes.

Iranian banks will would be barred from opening branches in Canada, and Canadian banks would not be able to operate in Iran.

Iran has denied it was working on a nuclear weapon, and said its programme was intended solely for peaceful purposes such as energy generation.

Tehran had sought to deflect pressure and further sanctions by displaying a willingness to talk about nuclear issues.

- NZPA