The Netherlands would prefer the UN Security Council to impose additional sanctions on Iran.

Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal says any further steps against Iran will be most effective when supported by the entire global community. Additional sanctions could be the result of recent developments regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.

In the past, there was not always sufficient support among Security Council members for imposing sanctions against Iran. For this reason the Dutch cabinet has urged the European Union to impose sanctions which effect the regime, but spare the people of Iran. The European foreign affairs ministers will meet in Brussels on Monday to discuss the issue.

Mr Rosenthal argues for tightening existing EU sanctions, such as banning payments to Iran either in cash or precious metals. The latter are often used instead of bank transactions. He also wants to expand the number of transactions requiring a licence.

(gsh/hs)

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