Australia on Tuesday announced it will take out its own sanctions against Iran as it seeks to help curb the regime’s nuclear programme.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith announced Australia will impose sanctions on a bank, a shipping line, and an individual involved in a construction company.
The move came on top of a fresh round of United Nations sanctions imposed last week.
ADVERTISEMENT
“These new measures put Australia at the forefront of efforts to persuade Iran to reverse its current path of confrontation with the international community,” Mr Smith said in a statement.
Iran said its uranium enrichment programme is for peaceful civilian purposes, while some countries such as the U.S. argue it is aimed at developing nuclear weapons.
Australia’s sanctions will apply to Bank Mellat, which the UN said has facilitated transactions involving Iranian nuclear and missile entities.
ADVERTISEMENT
They will also apply to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line, which Mr Smith said had transported goods for Iran’s nuclear programmes.
General Rostam Qasemi, the commander of Khatem ol—Anbiya Construction Organization, also will face Australian sanctions.
While noting deep concern about Iran’s nuclear aspirations, Mr Smith said there was still an opportunity for dialogue.
“Australia urges Iran to uphold its international obligations and seek an early negotiated solution to international community concerns about its nuclear program,” Mr Smith said.
Earlier, Mr Smith said Iran may well be the single most difficult issue the international community had to grapple with during the next year or so.
The United Nations last week decided to impose new sanctions on Iran, expanding an arms embargo and adding more names to the list of people who face personal sanctions.