On 21 December, EU agreed to freeze assets and ban travel of an additional one person and 18 entities involved either directly or indirectly in the Iranian nuclear activities. However, on 26 December, the chairman of the Iranian Parliaments National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Alaeddin Boroujerdi said the Tehran will not negotiate with countries that supported the sanctions.According to the EU press release, the latest decision brings the total of entities subjected to sanctions to 490 and the total number of persons to 105. The latest individual added was Babak Zanjani, owner of the Sorinet Group based in the United Arab Emirates. Zanjani is considered as a key facilitator for Iranian oil deals and transferring oil-related money. Britains Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt said, Iran's leaders know that sanctions are having a significant impactthey should be in no doubt that the international community will keep up the pressure until they are ready to negotiate in good faith and take the concrete steps needed to convince the international community that they are not building a nuclear weapon.
Conversely, Boroujerdi told reporters in Tehran, that Iran will not negotiate with the westerners in those states which have embargoed us. In addition, he stressed that the removal of the sanctions against Iran must be considered as an option by EU and US stressing, the G5+1 should use past experiences and act upon them, because they will not obtain result if they don't act pragmatically.
Last but not least, on 16 January 2013,Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)will meet to negotiate on a structured approach for a nuclear deal.
?By New Europe
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