Asia-Pacific

Australia to impose further sanctions on Iran

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-07-29 14:41

CANBERRA - Australia will impose sanctions against companies involved in Iran's oil and gas sector to restrict business dealings between the two countries, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith announced on Thursday.

Smith told reporters that Australia would be imposing additional financial and travel sanctions against a further 98 companies and 12 individuals involved in Iran's financial and transport sector. In which, the move was beyond the requirements of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1929.

Related readings:  Russia opposes additional sanctions on Iran  Europe adopts new Iran sanctions  Canada imposes more sanctions on Iran

"Today's new measure also includes a trade ban on all arms and related material and all dual-use items for nuclear, missile, chemical and biological weapons development," Smith said, adding that those imposed with sanctions include 26 subsidiaries and affiliates of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line, which has transported goods for Iran's nuclear and missile programs.

Seventeen subsidiaries of Bank Melli (also called the National Bank of Iran), which has facilitated transactions involving Iranian nuclear and missile entities, were also included.

Iran remains in clear breach of its international obligations, Smith told Australian Associated Press. "The onus is on Iran to take genuine and urgent steps to change its policy, meet its international obligations and reassure the international community about the intentions of its nuclear program."

On June 15, the Australian government announced financial and travel sanctions against two Iranian companies and General Rostam Qasemi, a senior official in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps.