The European Union (EU) is planning to re-impose asset freezes on several Iranian companies which were annulled earlier this year by court order, senior European diplomats say.The new decision, which targets Persia International Bank, Export Development Bank of Iran and Bank Refah Karagan, among others, was adopted by senior EU officials on Thursday, Reuters reported.
The diplomats say the decision must still be approved by EU governments later this week.
The decision comes despite the substantive progress made in the course of nuclear talks between Iran and six major world powers.
On September 6, the EU General Court annulled the asset freeze sanctions imposed against several Iranian entities because there was not sufficient evidence to justify the unilateral bans.
This is the first time the EU has circumvented the legal challenges of sanctions by imposing new measures against previously listed targets, instead of trying to win appeals.
Analysts say EUs new plan shows the blocs growing concern that it may not be able to corroborate the legal validity of the sanctions at the court of law.
The United States, Israel and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program, with the US and European Union using the claim as an excuse to impose illegal sanctions against Tehran.
Iran has categorically rejected the allegation, stressing that as a committed member of the International Atomic Energy Agency and a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, it is entitled to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
By Press TV
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