June 25, 2012 – New York – AJC welcomed EU confirmation that prohibitions on importing Iranian oil will go into effect, as scheduled, on July 1.

The EU had adopted the sanctions in January, but gave the 27 member states nearly six months to make alternative arrangements for purchasing oil. Responding to concerns in a few European countries, the EU met today to confirm the earlier decision.

“Full implementation of EU sanctions is an essential, strong message for Iran that the international community is firmly opposed to Iran’s quest for nuclear-weapons capability,” said AJC Executive Director David Harris. “Following the failure of the three recent P5+1 talks with Iran, the EU had no choice but to go forward with the planned oil embargo.”

In addition to banning Iranian oil imports, the sanctions prohibit European insurers from providing coverage for tankers carrying Iranian oil.

Explaining the EU decision, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "It is important the Iranian leaders understand the resolve of the countries of the European Union on this and that we will go on intensifying the economic pressure until the world can be satisfied that Iran's nuclear program is for peaceful purposes."

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