EU foreign ministers approved new sanctions against Iran focusing on energy, trade, financial sector and telecommunication.

“The Council also banned the import of natural gas from Iran into the EU. This concerns import, purchase and transport of gas, as well as finance and insurance related to these activities. In addition, the Council agreed to broaden the existing export ban on key equipment for the Iranian oil, gas and petrochemical industries,” says the statement of the Council of the European Union.

The sanctions also prohibit use of vessels belonging to EU citizens and companies for transporting or storing Iranian oil and petrochemical products.