DAR AL HARB - E.U. / U.S.A.: THE E.U. GIVES THE COLD SHOULDER TO THE AMERICAN PLAN FOR ISOLATING IRAN & NEW ECONOMIC SANCTIONS

Paper: EU cold-shoulders US' Iran plan

A US plan to isolate Iran by introducing fresh economic sanctions has met a muted response in the EU, reports a Brussels-based newspaper.

Washington is pressing EU countries to increase pressure by scrapping export credits granted to European firms doing business with Iran, said the "European Voice" weekly paper in its latest edition.

The sanctions would go beyond those endorsed by the United Nations' Security Council in December, which prohibited exports and imports linked to Iran's nuclear program, it noted.

Two EU member states, Germany and Italy, are deeply skeptical about the US move, fearing it comes too soon after the adoption of the UN resolution.

But with France and the UK less reluctant to impose additional sanctions, the issue will be discussed when EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels on January 22.

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Pertinent Links:

1) Paper: EU cold-shoulders US' Iran plan