EU countries preparing oil ban on Iran

Resistance (from countries such as Greece, Spain and Italy) in the EU to an embargo on Iranian oil was said to have dropped in January 2012, paving the way for a ban on oil imports from Iran to come into effect as early as the end of January 2012.

However, Mario Monti, Italy’s Prime Minister, warned on the 5 January 2012 that his government would only back a ban on European Union oil imports from Iran if the embargo was imposed gradually and excluded billions of euros of oil-related debt owed to Rome-based oil group Eni.

• Primary Source

Deutsche Welle, 6.1.12: EU considers delaying oil embargo against Iran http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15650402,00.html

ESO: Background information: EU prepared to tighten sanctions on Iran http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-prepared-to-tighten-sanctions-on-iran/

EEAS: Iran http://www.eeas.europa.eu/iran/index_en.htm

Deutsche Welle, 5.1.12: EU agrees on principle of Iran oil embargo http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15647039,00.html

BBC News, 4.1.12: Iran nuclear crisis: EU moves towards crude oil ban http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16418589

EUObserver, 4.1.12: EU countries preparing oil ban on Iran http://euobserver.com/24/114760

Spiegel Online International, 5.1.12: EU Moves Forward on Iranian Oil Embargo http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,807329,00.html

EurActiv, 5.1.12: Europe agrees to ramp up pressure on Iran http://www.euractiv.com/energy/europe-agrees-tougher-sanctions-iran-news-509976

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