United Kingdom imposes new sanctions on Iran to restrict its nuclear program

The United Kingdom announced on Tuesday the imposition of a new package of sanctions against Iran, aimed at curbing its nuclear program and other hostile activities. British Middle East Minister Stephen Doughty said in a statement that the new sanctions would further restrict Iran’s access to the UK financial system and expand the scope of trade bans to include the energy, software, metals, gold, shipping, insurance, and banking sectors, in addition to arms and nuclear capabilities. Doughty added that UK authorities would not allow Iranian aircraft to land on British territory, but there would be specific exceptions permitting such landings. He noted that the British government would consider additional measures to increase sanctions on ships linked to Iran’s nuclear program. Doughty reaffirmed his country’s commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, but stressed that diplomatic means remain the only way to reach a settlement of the issue.